Jagdeep Dhankar, an Indian politician and lawyer by profession, is currently the 14th Vice President of India. Before, he was the 28th governor of West Bengal. He belongs to the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He served as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs under the Ministry of Chandrashekhar in 1990.
His full name is Chaudhary Jagdeep Dhankar, and he is called “Kisan Putra”. He has also served as a lawyer in the Rajasthan and Supreme court and joined politics in 1989. Some of his most popular achievements are those he has championed on issues related to other backward classes, including granting OBC status to the Jaat community in Rajasthan.
Early life
India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar was born on May 18, 1951, in a small village, Kithana, in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu. He was born into a Hindu Jat family, the son of father Gokal Chand and mother Kesari Devi.
Jagdeep Dhankar completed his whole education in Rajasthan only. He completed his education at a Sainik school in Chittorgarh and then graduated with a BSc and an LLB from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. He then moved to Ghardhana government school for middle school education.
After completing his education and attaining a suitable age, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan during his early years. Also, he represented Janta Dal in the 9th Lok Sabha.
Personal life
Dr Jagdeep Dhankar is married to Dr Sudesh Dhankar, who did her PhD in Economics. They have a daughter named Kamna Dhankar. Jagdeep Dhakar’s father’s name is Choudhary Gokal Chand, while his mother’s name is Kesari Devi.
He has two brothers and a sister. His brothers are Kuldeep Dhankar, a politician, and Randeep Dhankar. His sister is Indira Dhankar. Apart from the political career of Jagdeep Dhankar, on March 27, 1990, Dhankar was appointed as a senior advocate in the Rajasthan High Court. He served the post till 2019.
Political career
In the early political career of Jagdeep Dhankar, he was associated with Janta Dal and Congress. In 2008, he joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He began his journey in 1989 with Janta Dal and won the Lok Sabha elections.
After being motivated by Devi Lal, he shifted to the Indian National Congress during the tenure of prime minister PV Narsimha Rao. As a member of the legislative assembly (MLA), Dhankar’s political career was shifted to the supreme court. He was living his political and legal lives simultaneously.
He started his political career as a member of parliament from Jhunjhunu while staying in Janta dal. He served in the position from 1989 to 1991, after which he handled the position of union deputy minister of parliament affairs. After a year, he became a member of the legislative assembly from Kishangarh from 1983 to 1998. Before he was appointed governor in 2019, he was also the chairman of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC).
The controversy around Jagdeep Dhankar
Jagdeep Dhankar has remained in controversy since the early stages of his political career. He was West Bengal governor while at loggerheads with CM Mamata Banerjee. Over his statements and disagreements with the CM, Mamata Banerjee, he was in the news for a long time.
Denied entry to Jadavpur University
Again, he was in the news, as he was denied entry into Jadavpur University. In 2019, the employees’ union of Jadhapur University restricted the entry of the governor of West Bengal as the university is affiliated with TMC.
Blocked by CM Mamata Banerjee
Governor Jagdeep Dhankar was blocked on social media by the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, in January 2022. She accused him of attacking government officials and threatening them. Also, in an interview, the CM spoke about the alleged disturbance caused by the governor of West Bengal.
Raising the issue of lawlessness
In March 2022, Governor Jagdeep Dhankar raised the issue of lawlessness with the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. He said the CM is inciting violence in the state and is responsible.
India’s Vice President
The BJP nominated its candidate for the vice presidential election on July 16, 2022. He competed with the opposition candidate, Margaret Alva, who was also a Union Minister and Governor of the Indian National Congress.
Jagdeep Dhankar won the election in August, securing 528 votes out of 725 from the lower and upper houses. By winning the election with 72.8% of the vote, he created history and broke the record of the 1992 election.
Within the very working days of the election, Jagdeep Dhankar joined the position on August 11, 2022. President Draupadi Murmu administered his oath at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
