On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar delivered a forceful and impassioned speech during the inauguration of the Samvidhan Mandir (Constitution Temple) at Elphinstone Technical High School & Junior College in Mumbai. In his address, Dhankhar reflected on the growing challenges to India’s constitutional values, particularly the increasing criticism of the country’s reservation system, and urged the youth to guard against any attacks on democratic principles and the spirit of the Constitution.
The Vice-President’s speech revolved around a staunch defense of India’s reservation policies, which he described as the “conscience of the Constitution” and an essential component of the country’s commitment to social justice and equality. Dhankhar expressed his concern over what he termed a “pattern of prejudice against reservations,” which he argued has been passed down over the years, even extending to individuals currently holding constitutional posts.
Vice-President Dhankhar drew attention to recent remarks made by a high-ranking official during foreign visits, which suggested that India should consider abolishing reservations. He condemned these statements as part of a broader trend of “anti-India rants” by some individuals in public office, remarking that such attitudes undermined the very foundations of the nation’s Constitution.
“It is ironic and deeply concerning,” Dhankhar remarked, “that a person holding a constitutional post is not only disregarding the significance of reservations but also expressing such views on foreign soil. This is a mindset that has been handed down—a mindset that opposes reservations, an affirmative action meant to uplift and empower the most marginalised sections of society.”
The Vice-President made it clear that reservations are not an impediment to meritocracy, as critics often claim. “Let me assure you,” Dhankhar stated, “reservation is the conscience of the Constitution. It exists with a positive purpose—to bring about social equality and reduce the vast inequities that exist in our society. Reservation is not about depriving someone of opportunity; it is about hand-holding those who are the pillars of our society, enabling them to rise and contribute to our nation’s progress.”
Dhankhar also raised critical questions about why Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, was denied the prestigious Bharat Ratna award until 1990, several decades after his death. He questioned the delay, highlighting the prejudice that marginalised figures like Ambedkar faced despite their monumental contributions to Indian society.
“Why was Baba Saheb Ambedkar not conferred the Bharat Ratna earlier?” Dhankhar asked. “He was the architect of our Constitution, a champion of social justice, and yet this honor was withheld from him for so long. What does that tell us about the mindset of those in power at the time?”
The Vice-President further criticised the long delay in implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, which advocated for reservations for socially and educationally backward classes. The report was submitted in 1980, but its recommendations were not enacted for nearly a decade. Dhankhar pointed out that during this period, both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, serving as Prime Ministers, made no moves to implement the report’s findings.
“The delay in implementing the Mandal Commission report,” Dhankhar said, “reveals the deep-seated resistance to affirmative action and the empowerment of marginalised communities. We must ask ourselves why it took so long for these recommendations to be enacted.”
In a pointed critique of earlier leadership, Dhankhar cited India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had expressed reservations about the reservation system. “Pandit Nehru, in his time, said, ‘I do not like reservations in any form, especially in jobs.’ He believed that reservations would promote inefficiency and mediocrity. But that mindset, unfortunately, continues in some quarters even today. It is this mindset that views reservations as a threat to meritocracy rather than as a tool for social justice.”
Dhankhar challenged this view, arguing that reservations are not an obstacle to meritocracy but an essential means of addressing historical injustices and fostering equality. “Reservation,” he reiterated, “is a form of affirmative action designed to uplift those who have been systematically marginalised and denied opportunities for generations. It is a means to ensure that the strength and potential of every individual are recognised and nurtured.”
Shifting his focus to a broader defense of democratic values, Dhankhar warned against what he called the “frontal attacks” on India’s Constitution and democratic institutions. He emphasised that the Constitution must not merely be flaunted as a symbol but respected, read, and understood in its full depth. “The Constitution is not just a book to be showcased,” Dhankhar stated. “It is the very foundation of our democracy, and it must be revered and upheld in spirit and action.”
He also expressed concern over inflammatory political rhetoric and actions that threaten to undermine the country’s democratic institutions. Dhankhar urged the judiciary, legislature, and executive to work within their constitutional limits and avoid becoming the focal points of political controversy. “Our institutions are robust,” he said. “They operate under checks and balances, and they must not become the trigger points for political inflammatory debates. We must ensure that these institutions continue to function independently and with integrity.”
Dhankhar devoted a significant portion of his speech to recalling the Emergency of 1975-77, which he described as the darkest chapter in post-independence Indian history. He referred to it as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” (Constitution Murder Day) and stressed the importance of remembering the 21 months of dictatorship that followed, during which democratic rights were severely curtailed.
“This was a period of terror, of vengeful dictatorship,” Dhankhar said, describing how thousands of political leaders, activists, and citizens were imprisoned during the Emergency, and basic freedoms were suspended. “The dream of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was shattered during those 21 months, when the spirit of democracy was crushed. It is crucial for the younger generation to learn about this dark phase and draw lessons from it to protect our Constitution.”
Addressing the youth, Dhankhar urged them to be vigilant in safeguarding the Constitution and India’s democratic values. He quoted Dr. Ambedkar’s famous warning that India could lose its independence due to the “infidelity and treachery” of its own people if they placed personal interests and creed above the nation. “Will history repeat itself?” Dhankhar asked. “It is up to the youth of today to ensure that it does not.”
The Vice-President concluded his speech with a call to action, urging the younger generation to remain steadfast in their commitment to constitutional values and to reject any attempts to undermine democracy. “Our independence must be defended with the last drop of our blood,” he said, echoing the words of Dr. Ambedkar. “We must remain resolute in our defense of democracy, of equality, and of justice.”
The event, which marked the inauguration of the Samvidhan Mandir, was attended by several prominent leaders, including Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale, and Maharashtra’s Minister for Skill Development Mangal Prabhat Lodha. The Samvidhan Mandir, inaugurated on the International Day of Democracy, serves as a tribute to India’s Constitution and its framers, highlighting the enduring importance of democratic values and social justice in the country’s governance.
