In a rebuttal to recent statements made by the United States and Germany concerning the apprehension of Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphatically asserted on Friday that India stands as an unparalleled democracy, unwavering in its commitment to the principles of legal governance, thereby dismissing any perceived need for external instruction.
“Distributive impartiality under the law has emerged as the prevailing paradigm in contemporary India, with legal strictures extending their purview to encompass those previously deemed beyond its reach. However, what transpires in response? At the instance of legal proceedings, dissent manifests through public demonstrations and impassioned rhetoric, obscuring the gravity of their transgressions behind veils of human rights advocacy,” remarked Dhankhar during his address at the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi.
Characterizing the Indian judiciary as resolute, citizen-centric, and autonomous, he queried, “What rationale justifies the mobilization of individuals or collectives in protest when legal processes are set into motion?” Advocating for a deeper exploration of this phenomenon, the Vice President pondered, “Is it permissible for individuals to contrive grievances as a means of evading legal accountability? Can perpetrators of legal infractions assume the mantle of victimhood with impunity?”
Propounding that corruption no longer serves as a gateway to advancement, employment, or contractual opportunities, Vice President Dhankhar asserted, “Corruption no longer confers privilege; rather, it invites incarceration. The legal apparatus ensures as much.” He further challenged the notion that transgressors of the law should be shielded under the pretext of festive or agricultural seasons, questioning, “By what justification can temporal considerations absolve culpability? Adherence to legal precepts is the sole recourse!”
Commending the judiciary’s proclivity towards the welfare of the populace, Dhankhar lauded its propensity to convene during unconventional hours and dispense equitable relief. Interrogating the tendency to impugn institutional integrity, the Vice President queried, “How ought we respond when unaffiliated entities masquerade as political factions? Bereft of accountability, they garner traction. We must transcend such stratagems.”
Observing that India’s ascent is met with resistance in certain quarters, Vice President Dhankhar asserted that by virtue of its civilization, economic prowess, and expansive populace, India warrants a seat at the global table where consequential decisions are deliberated. Further championing India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, he contended that the efficacy and inclusivity of the United Nations hinge upon the representation of nations such as India, which boasts a constitutional framework enshrining democracy at every echelon.
In addition to his remarks, the Vice President presided over the unveiling of the refurbished premises of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and oversaw the release of several scholarly publications authored by the institution. Accompanying him were Surendra Nath Tripathi, Director General of IIPA, Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar of IIPA, and other distinguished guests.