Major Political Tremors in India: Vice President's Resignation, Parliament Chaos, and Legal Showdowns Rock the Nation
India's political climate is undergoing a seismic shift. From the dramatic resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to a disruptive Monsoon Session in Parliament and several game-changing legal rulings, the nation is witnessing a historic moment that could redefine its democratic fabric. These events are more than news—they are shaping the narrative of governance, elections, and constitutional accountability in India.
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Table of Contents
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Vice President Dhankhar’s Sudden Exit
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A Closer Look at Dhankhar's Political Journey
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Political Reactions and Speculation Behind the Resignation
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The Process and Politics Behind the New VP Election
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Parliament’s Monsoon Session: A Storm of Protests
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Bihar Electoral Roll Controversy: EC vs Opposition
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The Opposition's Allegations of "Votebandi"
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Supreme Court Interventions: Key Rulings and Hearings
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Mumbai Blasts Acquittals and Maharashtra’s Challenge
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Kanwar Yatra: Court on Licensing Norms
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Congress Party’s Tax Troubles: ITAT Verdict
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Conclusion: A Defining Moment in Indian Democracy
1. Vice President Dhankhar’s Sudden Exit
On the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position, citing health reasons. His resignation, effective immediately, places him in a rare club—only the third Indian Vice President to leave office before completing a term.
At 74, Dhankhar had served as VP since August 2022 and was expected to stay until 2027. His departure comes just months after undergoing angioplasty, raising eyebrows due to the coincidental timing with heated political developments.
2. A Closer Look at Dhankhar's Political Journey
A seasoned lawyer and career politician, Dhankhar previously served as Governor of West Bengal, where his clashes with CM Mamata Banerjee became headlines. His elevation to Vice President came with expectations of neutrality, yet his tenure saw regular confrontations with Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha.
Notably, in 2024, Dhankhar survived an unprecedented removal motion—the first of its kind against a sitting VP.
3. Political Reactions and Speculation Behind the Resignation
Despite Dhankhar's official reasoning, Opposition leaders suggest deeper motives.
“There is far more to this resignation than meets the eye,” said Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, questioning the lack of transparency.
Adding fuel to the fire, an old video resurfaced in which Dhankhar joked about retiring in 2027, “subject to divine intervention.” The timing and tone of his departure have fueled widespread political speculation, including rumors of internal pressure or strategic exits.
4. The Process and Politics Behind the New VP Election
As per the Indian Constitution, in the absence of a Vice President, the Deputy Chairperson or a nominated Rajya Sabha member steps in until elections are held. The BJP-led NDA coalition, with its parliamentary strength, is expected to push forward a favored candidate.
Names floating in political corridors include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, known for his efficiency and alignment with the government.
5. Parliament’s Monsoon Session: A Storm of Protests
While the political elite deal with Dhankhar’s resignation, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has been thrown into chaos over the controversial revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls.
Opposition MPs have stormed the Well of the House, demanding the withdrawal of what they claim is a selective voter deletion campaign by the Election Commission (EC). They’ve labeled it a strategic move by the NDA to manipulate Bihar’s voter base ahead of the assembly elections.
6. Bihar Electoral Roll Controversy: EC vs Opposition
The EC has defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR), reporting that over 52 lakh voters were flagged—either deceased, shifted, or duplicates.
Breakdown:
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18.66 lakh deceased
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26.01 lakh relocated
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7.5 lakh duplicated entries
The EC claims these measures are aimed at enhancing the integrity of elections, using Aadhaar and other IDs for limited verification.
7. The Opposition's Allegations of "Votebandi"
Opposition parties, particularly RJD, CPI(ML), and Congress, are crying foul. They argue that migrant laborers’ names are being unfairly deleted due to their absence during the verification period. Critics allege this is “votebandi”—a deliberate disenfranchisement strategy.
While the EC maintains transparency, the Opposition demands a re-verification process and warns of mass agitations if the issue is not addressed before August 1.
8. Supreme Court Interventions: Key Rulings and Hearings
The Supreme Court of India is now a key player in these political developments. The apex court is scheduled to hear a plea challenging the SIR process on July 28 and has directed that Aadhaar, voter IDs, and ration cards must be accepted for verification.
In addition, the Court is overseeing multiple high-stakes legal matters.
9. Mumbai Blasts Acquittals and Maharashtra’s Challenge
In a major twist, the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts, which killed 189 people. The Maharashtra government has appealed the decision in the Supreme Court, asserting that the prosecution failed to establish key evidence, such as the type of explosives and credible confessions. Eight of the 12 acquitted have already been released. The SC will review the appeal on July 25, marking a pivotal moment for justice and law enforcement’s credibility.
10. Kanwar Yatra: Court on Licensing Norms
The Supreme Court also addressed the Kanwar Yatra licensing debate by requiring roadside eateries to display licenses and registration details. While some petitioners argued this infringed on personal freedoms, the Court emphasized consumer transparency and public safety. Although broader identity disclosure issues were avoided, this decision establishes a precedent for clearer regulation of religious events.
11. Congress Party’s Tax Troubles: ITAT Verdict
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has delivered a serious blow to the Indian National Congress, upholding a Rs. 199.15 crore tax demand for 2018–19.
Key violations include:
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Late filing of returns (beyond the Dec 31 deadline)
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Accepting cash donations exceeding Rs 2,000, violating the Income Tax Act
The ITAT ruled that the Section 13A tax exemption could not apply due to these breaches. This opens the Congress party to deeper financial scrutiny and weakens its campaign credibility ahead of elections.
12. Conclusion: A Defining Moment in Indian Democracy
From resignations and rallies to courtroom drama and electoral turbulence, India is at a turning point. The Vice President’s resignation, allegations of voter manipulation, and tax cases against key opposition parties are reshaping the democratic and legal landscape of the nation.
This moment calls for vigilant citizenship, robust journalism, and transparent governance. The coming months will be crucial in defining whether India’s democracy strengthens or succumbs to partisan pressures.
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