Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankharm, on Wednesday, officially took charge as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, reminding members to be cognisant of ”severe public discomfort and disillusionment” at the lack of decorum in the temple of democracy.

”Obstruction and disruption of proceedings as parliamentary practice or option are antithetical to democratic values. The contemporaneous scenario on this count is concerning and makes it imperative for us to follow the high standards set in the Constituent Assembly,” he said in his maiden address in the House of Elders.

Democracy, he observed, blossomed and flourished when its three facets – the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive – scrupulously adhere to their respective domains. ”The sublimity of Doctrine of Separation of Powers, is realised when Legislature, Judiciary and Executive optimally function in tandem and togetherness, meticulously ensuring scrupulous adherence to a respective jurisdictional domain. Any incursion by one, however subtle, in the domain of others, has the potential to upset the governance apple cart,” he added.

The chairman said the country was indeed faced with this grim reality of frequent incursions. ”This House is eminently positioned to take affirmative steps to bring about congeniality amongst these wings of the governance,” he added.

Dhankhar was of the view that the essence of democracy lay in the prevalence of the ordainment of the people reflected through a legitimised platform. ”In any democracy, Parliamentary sovereignty is inviolable. We all here are under oath to preserve it,” he added.

The vice-president told the members that the authorities in constitutional positions in any institution were required to exemplify their conduct by high standards of propriety, dignity and decorum.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulating the vice-president on taking charge as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said, ”Your life is proof that one cannot accomplish anything only by resourceful means but by practice and realisations.”