Dhankhar slams Chidambaram for ‘part-timers’ barb on new laws

New Delhi, July 6

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday strongly criticised Congress leader P Chidambaram for his comment that the three new criminal laws were drafted by “part-timers,” calling it an “inexcusable” insult to Parliament. While addressing the 12th convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Dhankhar urged Chidambaram to withdraw his “derogatory, defamatory and insulting” remark.

Dhankhar expressed his shock over Chidambaram’s interview with a leading national daily where the Congress leader made the contentious statement. “Are we part-timers in Parliament? It is an inexcusable insult to the wisdom of the Parliament,” Dhankhar said. “I do not have words strong enough to condemn such a narrative being set afloat and an MP being labelled as a part-timer.”

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Dhankhar highlighted the significance of the new criminal laws, which he described as a monumental step in moving away from the colonial legacy of “Danda Vidhan” (rule by the stick) to “Nyaya Vidhan” (rule of justice). He lamented that every Member of Parliament had the opportunity to contribute during the debate on these laws, but noted with disappointment that Chidambaram, along with other senior legal luminaries, chose not to participate actively.

“This morning when I read a paper and the remarks of an informed mind who had been the Finance Minister of this country, a parliamentarian for long, and a Member of Rajya Sabha currently, stunned me. I took great pride that this Parliament had done a great thing by unshackling us from a colonial legacy,” Dhankhar said.

He also condemned the non-participation of other senior advocates in Parliament during the debate, calling it a failure to perform their constitutional duties.

Dhankhar urged Chidambaram to retract his comments and respect the integrity and wisdom of Parliament. “Withdraw the derogatory, defamatory, and highly insulting observations to the MPs,” he urged.