New Delhi: The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, “Today, I salute the valour of the Indian Armed Forces. A new global benchmark has been set. While upholding the spirit of peace, the aim has been to strike at terrorism. For the first time, precise strikes were carried out across the international border, targeting key strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba — and no one in the world has demanded proof. The entire world witnessed the strength of India. India has sent a powerful message — a significant shift has taken place. Terrorism will no longer be tolerated, for it is not just a concern for one nation, but for the entire world.”
Inaugurating the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Memorial Library in Jaipur today, Shri Dhankhar stated, “India has not just fought a military battle — under the Prime Minister’s leadership, it has also fought and won a major diplomatic battle. The Indus Water Treaty was halted. A message was sent to the nation and the world — there will be no reconsideration until the situation normalises from India’s perspective. Such a significant step was taken — one that had neither been thought of nor considered before.”
Invoking the historical and cultural pride of Rajasthan, the Vice-President said, “From the land of Rajasthan — the land of the valiant, the land of Maharana Pratap, the land of Maharaja Suraj Mal — I bow to all those who have defended the nation and safeguarded our identity.”
Reflecting on India’s assertion of strength, he remarked, “India first showcased its strength on the soil of Rajasthan through Pokhran in May. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of the country, and the Honourable Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. That’s when we achieved a major milestone. As a result, when provocation occurred in Pahalgam, it came at a time when the world was already recognising India’s strength. We had made a significant leap in our economy. Today, we are the world’s fourth major power and on course to become the third.”
He further recalled, “But when the Prime Minister felt that India’s identity was being challenged, he delivered a message to the world from the soil of Bihar — and stood by that message with conviction. The world witnessed what our skies signify. The world understood the meaning of BrahMos. That strength has now been acknowledged globally.”
Paying heartfelt tribute to two guiding figures in his life, the Vice-President said, “Two individuals have had immense significance in my life — the Honourable Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Chaudhary Devi Lal ji. Both had a deep connection with the soil and a strong bond with the common man. Their lives were spotless, and both nurtured a great legacy in their political journeys. I am but a small leaf of that vast tree.”
He shared a deeply personal reflection, “The heart and mind of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were always with the common man. I was looking at a photograph — a deeply emotional one — featuring the Honourable Chandra Shekhar ji, Nanaji Deshmukh, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat ji explaining the concept of Antyodaya to them. He was the one who initiated it.”
Dhankhar lauded Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s landmark contribution to parliamentary transparency, “As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat — a towering personality — set a new benchmark in transparency. He compelled all Members of Parliament to declare their assets. This initiative was started by the Honourable Bhairon Singh ji. It was a truly significant beginning.”
The Vice-President concluded his address with deeply personal reflections, honouring Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s unmatched grace in politics and statesmanship, “Search in any corner of the world, the country, or the state — you will not find a single enemy of his. He defined one crucial principle in politics: that there are no enemies in politics. Today’s leadership — in every political party — needs to learn this from him: the highest standards that Shri Bhairon Singh Ji established — of expression, dialogue, debate, reflection, and if I may use a Vedic term, Anantavad (the acceptance of endless viewpoints) — are essential in any system, especially in a democratic setup.”
Recalling his own experience from the opposition benches, the Vice-President shared, “I have personally witnessed it — for five years, he was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and I was a legislator from the opposition. His heart would melt for the opposition. Every opposition member felt that the Chief Minister was their guardian. If we raised a fair or genuine point, he would always respond positively.”
He went on to describe the late leader’s rare and nurturing presence: “He was like a banyan tree under whose shade everything bloomed. He disproved the popular saying — Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has turned out to be a Banyan tree, contrary to perception — he nurtured and created so many leaders. It gives me great joy that, as Vice President, wherever I go across the country, I can say with pride what I have, no other Vice President has ever had. Because it was he who held my finger, who held my hand, who guided me, who taught me wisdom, who introduced me to politics, who inspired me to serve the people — and because of that, I have reached this position.”
Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, Governor of Rajasthan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Member of Parliament, Prem Chand Bairwa, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Madan Rathore, Member of Parliament, Narpat Singh Rajvi, Former Minister of Health, Govt of Rajasthan, Abhimanyu Singh Rajvi, Founder Secretary, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Memorial and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
