Jagdeep Dhankhar Fainted at Public Event Just Weeks Before His Resignation: Report

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation on Tuesday evening has raised questions and concerns, especially in light of recent health issues that have now come to the forefront. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar stated that he was stepping down to prioritise his health and follow medical advice.

Though his departure from office seemed abrupt, multiple health-related incidents in recent months suggest a gradual decline in his well-being. In March 2025, Dhankhar was admitted to Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after complaining of uneasiness and chest pain. Following treatment, doctors reportedly advised him to limit travel outside the national capital.

In June, he collapsed during an event in Nainital while attending the Golden Jubilee celebration of Kumaon University. As per official sources, the venue was reportedly stuffy and the weather unusually hot, which may have caused Dhankhar to faint momentarily. He was later helped and revived.

More recently, during a visit to Kerala earlier this month, Dhankhar was seen walking with support from his wife, Sudesh Dhankhar, and an aide, further indicating his fragile condition. Just a few days ago, on July 17, Dhankhar visited the Vatika project spearheaded by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. There, he again felt unwell and had to pause to recover, aided by his wife who offered him water.

Despite showing remarkable energy while presiding over Rajya Sabha sessions in his capacity as Chairperson, these frequent health scares hinted at underlying issues that likely contributed to his decision to step down.

Following his resignation, President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dhankhar's letter, and the Ministry of Home Affairs officially notified the development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support and wished him a speedy recovery. "Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health," PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

(With inputs from PTI)