Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently made a strong statement about the importance of following parliamentary rules, declaring that any deviation is akin to sacrilege against the "temple of democracy." During a session on Thursday, he responded to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s question about how to "persuade the chair" by emphasizing that the chair is historically persuaded by members' adherence to the rules.

Dhankhar stressed that the essence of democracy lies in following the House's procedures and warned against adopting an individualistic approach. He further highlighted that the rules of the House are designed to allow every member to participate, ensuring that the parliamentary process remains inclusive and respectful. Reflecting on a previous session, he pointed out that failing to utilize allocated time due to a lack of speakers shouldn't be a reason for grievance, as long as concerns are raised within the framework of the rules.

On Wednesday, Dhankhar also called for increased productivity in the Rajya Sabha, urging members to foster an environment of dialogue and deliberation. He marked the day as significant, as it marked the beginning of the fourth quarter-century since the adoption of the Indian Constitution. Dhankhar's message was clear: to enhance the quality of discussions and uphold the sanctity of parliamentary procedures.