Constitution doesn't envision any authority above Parliament: Dhankhar

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that elected representatives are the ultimate masters in determining the content of the Constitution. Speaking at an event at Delhi University on Tuesday, the Vice-President emphasised that Parliament is supreme and it is as supreme as every individual in the country. He also said that the Constitution does not envision any authority above Parliament. The Vice President further added that people of India have chosen their representatives under the Constitution to reflect their expressions, their desire, and their ‘will’, and they hold these representatives accountable during elections.  Dhankhar said, a constitution is for the people, and its repository of safeguarding it is that of elected representatives. He said, every word spoken by a constitutional functionary is guided by the supreme national interest. Citing two contradictory statements by the Supreme Court, Dhankhar said, in the Golaknath case, the Apex Court had said that the preamble is not a part of the constitution, and in the Keshavanand Bharati case, it says Preamble is part of the constitution.

Democracy is not only for the government to govern. It is participatory democracy- comprising not merely laws, but also culture and ethos.

Citizenship demands action, not merely status. Every individual, if he or she decides, can inculcate a new fervour of nationalistic spirit… pic.twitter.com/4Y9BwyEZkz

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

Dhankhar said, Dr. Ambedkar recognized that freedom requires responsibility. That is why we have in our Constitution both Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties. 'Nationalism requires a commitment that is unadulterated—a commitment that is emanating voluntarily, and that this will not be superseded by any other consideration- partisan, personal, or otherwise,' he said.