‘Can’t skip duty to catch flight’: Jagdeep Dhankhar makes first speech after resigning as V-P, attends RSS leader’s book launch

Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said he puts duty above other things, and his “recent past” was proof of it.

Mr. Dhankhar, who took the country by surprise four months ago when he stepped down from his post citing health reasons, made his first public speech after the resignation at the launch of a book written by senior RSS functionary Manmohan Vaidya in Bhopal on Friday (November 21, 2025).

A man came up to him during the speech — where he praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s philosophy and vision — apparently to remind that he had to catch a flight back to Delhi at 7.30 p.m.

The former V-P then informed the audience that he had a flight to catch, and added cryptically, “I can’t skip my duty for catching a flight, and friends, my recent past is proof of it.”

The remark evoked peals of laughter from the audience.

The book debunks propaganda which portrays the RSS as an ultra-right organisation and even seeks to link it to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi though it is a baseless charge, Mr. Dhankhar said.

No BJP leaders at airport to receive Dhankhar; Digvijaya Singh calls it ‘use and throw policy’

Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Friday (Novemerb 21) took a swipe at the BJP as no leader of the ruling party received former V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar at the airport in Bhopal, claiming that it follows the “use-and-throw” policy.

Reacting to the absence of BJP leaders at the airport, Mr. Singh said the saffron party considers only those people important who serve its immediate interests. “It follows ‘use and throw policy,’ he said, talking to reporters.

“I can’t say this about the RSS as he has come to attend their programme,” the Rajya Sabha MP added.

Mr. Singh also said he had sought an appointment, from the official accompanying the former V-P, to meet Mr. Dhankhar.