Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed “pain and anguish” on Thursday regarding a viral video clip that captured him bowing and greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with folded hands. Dhankhar, addressing the issue in the Rajya Sabha, asserted that such a gesture is inherent to his nature, emphasizing that he does not consider who is in front of him.
The video, widely shared on social media platforms, drew attention, including comments from some Congress leaders. In response, Dhankhar, standing in the Rajya Sabha with folded hands, stressed that the dignity of a constitutional position is elevated by humility.
“I want to say that bowing and greeting namaskar (with folded hands) is my nature. I don’t see who is in front,” declared the Vice President, expressing his consciousness of being captured and uploaded on social media.
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of social media, Dhankhar remarked, “You never know who will put it on Instagram, who will put it on Twitter. You never know who will start measuring the strength of my backbone.”
Addressing the concern, he shared, “It is sometimes very painful at the level to which some may stoop.” Dhankhar, standing with folded hands, conveyed his pain and anguish, particularly when the act is attributed to an institution holding a high office in the country’s politics, making an oblique reference to the Congress’ social media handle.
Expressing his hurt, Dhankhar revealed, “It is extremely hurtful when I thought of sharing my anguish, my sentiments with a senior leader… It resulted in a more challenging scenario by putting it on Twitter. I thought wisdom will dawn (and) they will reflect.”
The Vice President emphasized his modesty, stating, “I am a modest man; arrogance can never be part of my life. By nature, I am humble, if not I try to be more humble. But we should not make fun of institutions.”
He added by underlining the cultural heritage of bowing while greeting someone and emphasized that the dignity of the office is maintained through such gestures.
