Jagdeep Dhankhar: The Man from Rajasthan Who Climbed to India’s Second-Highest Office
Not many people from tiny villages in India end up becoming Vice President of the country. But Jagdeep Dhankhar did. His story is one of those low-key yet quietly powerful journeys — no big drama, no filmi rise — just a slow and steady climb through law, politics, and yes, a fair bit of controversy too.
So, who exactly is this man? Let’s unpack his story, piece by piece, without trying to over-glorify or criticize him.
A Humble Start in Rajasthan
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in a small village called Kithana, tucked away in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. He comes from a farming background — Jat community, very middle-India. No political connections, no elite English-medium upbringing. Just a regular rural kid who went to Sainik School in Chittorgarh. That school’s meant to prep students for the army, but for him, it became the first step toward something much bigger.
He was good at studies. First a degree in Physics, then Law — both from Rajasthan University. A bit of a brainy mix there. And the legal route is how he got into the corridors of power later.
Law Over Politics… at First
Before getting into the mud of Indian politics, Dhankhar built a solid reputation in the courts. He started his legal career in Rajasthan High Court and eventually reached the Supreme Court. He didn’t become one of those flamboyant lawyers always in the news, but he was good. Solid. Reliable. Sharp on constitutional matters.
People in Delhi legal circles knew his name. He was a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court — which isn’t a small thing, you earn that title. He wasn’t just another lawyer with a black coat. He knew his stuff, and he handled some big cases too.
Stepping into Politics
Now, let’s jump to 1989. That’s when Jagdeep Dhankhar entered politics, and he did it with the Janata Dal. He contested from Jhunjhunu and won. Soon enough, he was made Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government — that short-lived one.
Not a long stint, but it gave him a taste of Delhi politics and government machinery.
Later, like a lot of Indian politicians, he switched sides. First to Congress. Then, after a while, he joined the BJP. Yep, classic political curve. But he wasn’t very active in politics for a long time after the early 90s. He focused more on his legal career and stayed somewhat in the background.
Suddenly Back in the Spotlight: Governor of West Bengal
Fast forward to 2019 — and here’s where most people really started hearing about him again.
The Modi government made him the Governor of West Bengal, and boom — overnight, he became a household name. Not because of his ceremonial role, but because he became a full-blown headline generator.
Why? Because of his running feud with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government. He pulled no punches. Almost every week, he’d tweet or speak out against something the state government did — law and order, university appointments, post-election violence, you name it.
Mamata wasn’t having it either. She accused him of being a BJP puppet, misusing the Governor’s office, and basically interfering too much. The two clashed so often that West Bengal politics began to feel like a daily soap — Governor vs CM.
Now, whether you think he was being righteous or just picking fights depends on which side of the political fence you’re on. But what’s certain is — he made the role of Governor relevant again (and a bit controversial).
Climbing to Vice President
Then came 2022. The NDA needed a strong candidate for Vice President, someone who could be counted on to be firm, loyal, and perhaps a little outspoken. Dhankhar ticked all those boxes.
He was nominated by the BJP-led alliance and, unsurprisingly, won the election comfortably. On August 6, 2022, he became the 14th Vice President of India.
Now, as Vice President, he’s also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — which means he presides over the upper house of Parliament. And this job isn’t as symbolic as some people think. It’s crucial. It involves maintaining discipline, steering debates, and ensuring the Parliament doesn’t turn into a shouting match (which, sadly, it often does).
Dhankhar brought his legal sharpness and no-nonsense attitude to this role too. He’s often called out MPs for disorder, urged better behavior, and emphasized parliamentary decorum. Some people find him too strict or too biased. Others like that he doesn’t tolerate drama.
Not a Crowd-Pleaser, But a Constitution Guy
One thing you need to understand about Jagdeep Dhankhar is — he’s not your typical politician who thrives on mass adulation. He’s more of a Constitution guy. A law-and-order guy. If you look at his speeches, especially since becoming VP, they’re loaded with references to the Constitution, the rule of law, institutional balance, and so on.
He’s also pretty blunt. He doesn’t really sugarcoat things. Whether it’s students, MPs, or state governments, he says what he feels. That makes him stand out — but also draws criticism.
Some say he’s too eager to wade into political territory. Others think he’s doing exactly what a VP or Governor should do — stand up for the Constitution, even if it means rubbing politicians the wrong way.
What’s Next for Him?
Well, he’s got a few years in this role, and with the 2024 general elections over, Parliament is likely to see even more fireworks. His job as Rajya Sabha Chairman will be tested big time — handling protests, walkouts, and all the theatrics.
There’s also chatter in some circles about whether Dhankhar might be considered for the Presidency in the future. Too early to say, but not out of the question. The BJP often rewards loyalty and legal minds who stick to the brief.
In Summary
So, that’s Jagdeep Dhankhar for you. A farmer’s son from Rajasthan who went from courtrooms to Parliament, from a quiet legal career to noisy political clashes, and finally ended up as Vice President.
You may not always agree with his style. He’s not soft-spoken. He’s not a people-pleaser. But he’s consistent in one thing — speaking his mind and referring back to the Constitution every chance he gets.
Whether he’s a hero or a heckler — depends on who you ask. But either way, he’s not someone who blends into the background. And that, maybe, is exactly why he’s in the position he is today.