Rahul Gandhi's remarks 'unwholesome', says Dhankhar, Congress hits back

NEW DELHI: Days after BJP and Congress squabbled over Rahul Gandhi's comments on Indian democracy during his UK tour, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar joined the attack on the Congress MP and said it was painful that while the world applauds India's accomplishments as a functional vibrant democracy, Parliamentarians are engaged in a "thoughtless, unfair denigration" of India's democratic values. Congress hit back shortly after saying the Vice President cannot be the "cheerleader of any ruling dispensation" and that the office of Vice President needed him to shed "prejudices" and "party allegiances" and "whatever propaganda (he) may have imbibed along the way".
Dhankhar, who was speaking at a book release function on Thursday, pointed to the timing of Gandhi's comments and said the Wayanad MP indulged in an "unwholesome misadventure" at a time India was enjoying its moment of glory as G20 president.
"...Such misplaced campaign mode to taint and tarnish our Parliament and constitutional entities is too serious and exceptional to be ignored or countenanced. No political strategy or partisan stance can justify compromising of our nationalism and democratic values," he said.
He also expressed outrage over Gandhi's "ill-premised, unwholesome and motivated" comments that opposition's microphones were muted in the House, Dhankhar said he was compelled to speak since staying silent would put him on the wrong side of the Constitution.
"How can I sanctify a statement that mikes in Indian Parliament are put off. How can people say so? Has there been any illustration? Yes! We did have a dark chapter of our political history. Proclamation of Emergency was the darkest period any democracy can suffer. Indian democratic polity is now mature. There can be no repeat of that. Anyone who says so, inside or outside the country, that in Indian Parliament mic are put off... Imagine this being done after having held the floor for nearly 50 minutes," he said.
Dhankhar's comments invited a sharp come back from Congress' Jairam Ramesh. "The chairman...is an umpire, a referee, a friend, philosopher and guide to all. History measures leaders not on the zealousness with which they defended their party, but the dignity with which they performed their roles in the service of the people," he said.