'Can't Neglect My Duty...': Jagdeep Dhankhar In His First Speech After Resignation As VP

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since his sudden resignation in July. He was in Bhopal for the launch of a book written by RSS joint general secretary

Manmohan Vaidya.

Taking the stage, Dhankhar referred to his long absence from public life, saying, “Four months later, on this occasion, on this book, in this city, I should not hesitate to speak.”

Speaking about Vaidya’s book, he said it challenges long-standing narratives about the RSS. According to Dhankhar, the book dismantles “long propagated myths portraying RSS as ultra-right and anti-minority”, adding that critics even “link it to the assassination of Gandhi”.

“The untenability of all this is now fully exposed,” he said.

He also referred to demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act, calling them “irrational protests”. Dhankhar added, “But then, friends, we are living in tough times. No one knows more than I do. We are in tough times. But then, one has to hold one’s own.”

VIDEO | Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has maintained a low profile since stepping down exactly four months ago citing health reasons, made his first public address on Friday at a book launch, praising the RSS philosophy and vision of making a stronger nation.

Jagdeep Dhankhar says,… pic.twitter.com/496pmUvF0u

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Mentions His Sudden Exit, Says ‘Duty Comes First’

As he was speaking, his aides reminded him about his upcoming flight. Dhankhar responded on stage,
“Main flight pakadne ke chinta se apne kartavya ko nahin chhod sakta (I cannot neglect my duty out of worry about catching my flight). And friends, my recent past is proof of it.”

Dhankhar had resigned as vice president, citing health reasons. His resignation came on a day he presided over the Rajya Sabha. Since then, he has remained largely away from public events, except for attending the swearing-in of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan in September.

Dhankar Calls RSS A ‘Stabilising Force’ Amid Global Uncertainty

At the book launch, Dhankhar said Vaidya’s work had come at the “right time”, as the RSS approaches its centenary. He described the organisation as “the most stabilising force in Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity and for global welfare.”

He warned of rising global insecurity, saying, “Amid unprecedented global churning in security, we find security getting threatened.”

He cited expansionist policies, economic instability, climate challenges and demographic shifts as key concerns. He also pointed to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain as areas of growing contestation.

Dhankhar said these pressures were creating widespread anxiety. “We see all around turbulence and disturbance, uncertainty and unpredictability. And the only solution to that is we must fall back to our civilisational essence,” he said.

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