A day after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai expressed disappointment over the absence of senior Maharashtra officials during his first official visit to the State, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday emphasized the critical role of protocol in constitutional functioning.
Speaking at the launch event of the book “The Constitution We Adopted”, edited by Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, the Vice-President lauded the CJI for drawing attention to the issue and stated:
“This morning, I was reminded of something which is very critical in the country and that is not for oneself. What the present Chief Justice said. We must believe in protocol. Chief Justice of the country and protocol is placed very high. When he indicated that, it was not personal, it was for the position he holds. I hope this will be kept in mind by one and all.”
Chief Justice Gavai, during his speech on Sunday, had expressed “serious disappointment” that the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, were not present to receive him during his first visit to the State in his capacity as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. He had clarified that he was not demanding protocol for personal reasons but was highlighting the need for other organs of democracy to show due respect to the judiciary.
Echoing this concern, Vice-President Dhankhar shared his own experience:
“In a sense, I am also a sufferer. You would have seen photos of the President and the Prime Minister, but not of the Vice-President. Once I demit office, I will ensure it that my successor has a photograph. But I am really beholden to the Chief Justice for inviting the attention of the people to bureaucracy. Adherence to protocol is fundamental.”
