Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar, Kapil Sibal asks
Meanwhile, BJP expels Rajasthan spokesperson citing his public criticism of the party's treatment of Satyapal Malik and Jagdeep Dhankhar

Earlier today, 9 August, the Rajasthan unit of the BJP expelled state spokesperson Krishna Kumar Janu for six years, citing his public criticism of the party's treatment of late Jammu & Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik —who passed away earlier this week at 79 after a prolonged illness — and former vice-president and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
And about three hours ago, independent Rajya Sabha MP and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal tweeted the following: 'Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar. Can we be informed: Where is he? Is he safe? Why is he incommunicado? Amit Shah ji should know! He was our Vice President; the country should be worried!'
Conspiracy theories about Dhankhar have been flying thick and fast ever since his abrupt and unprecedented resignation as vice-president of India, which also took care of his de facto position as Rajya Sabha chairman. Most of those theories pooh pooh Dhankhar's 'resigning on health grounds' claim, and hint darkly at more sinister possibilities, such as his apparent — and growing — closeness to several Opposition MPs.
For a man whose obsequious devotion to the BJP in general and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular bordered on the craven, any breaking of ranks would probably be seen by the BJP as good reason to boot him out, but his exit was unceremonious enough for the same Opposition which moved a no-confidence motion against him in December 2024 to actually express concern at his removal.
Specially given the fact that the government did not even see it fit to give him a proper farewell, except a cold tweet from PM Modi wishing Dhankhar good health and pointing out that he had had several opportunities to 'serve the nation'.
Meanwhile, Krishna Kumar Janu's case brings to the fore the shoddy treatment meted out to another BJP man-turned-vocal-critic of the government, Satyapal Malik. To the extent that not a single BJP leader visited him when he was ailing, nor condoled his passing. Instead, his home was raided by the CBI during his final days.
Controversy arose after a purported video of Janu was widely circulated on social media platforms, in which Janu was heard criticising senior BJP leaders over what he described as the "humiliating treatment" of Malik, who had served as the governor of several states and was once the party's national vice-president.
Janu also referred to Dhankhar's exit, noting that both leaders are from the Jat community. He questioned MPs, MLAs, and other office bearers from the community working within the BJP, asking how they could be sure similar treatment would not be meted out to them. "Malik's treatment cannot be justified. What the BJP is doing with mass leaders is very sad," he said in the video, hinting at simmering anger within the Jats, a strong BJP vote bank.
Malik created a massive controversy after alleging that he was offered a bribe to clear files of two major projects in Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the BJP-led Central government over issues related to farmers and the Pulwama terror attack, among others issues.
Dhankhar, who was the controversial governor (read BJP hatchet man) of West Bengal before being appointed vice-president, is also a prominent political figure from Rajasthan. Following his abrupt exit, Opposition leaders claimed he was "forced" to resign, given that he had publicly spoken about his upcoming schedule, with no hint of ill health anywhere.
BJP insiders reportedly said Janu's remarks were viewed as damaging to the party's image and internal discipline. Well, Janu isn't the only one making similar remarks now.
With PTI inputs
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