Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down as India’s Vice President in July 2025, made his first public appearance on Friday during the launch of the book ‘Hum Aur Yah Vishva’ in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The former Vice President used the occasion to reflect on the power of narratives in public life, cautioning that once someone gets caught in them, escaping the “chakravyuh” becomes extremely difficult.

Dhankhar’s comments sparked interest given the widespread speculation that surrounded his abrupt resignation, officially attributed to health concerns. However, he made it a point to clarify that his remarks were not about his own circumstances, subtly distancing himself from political interpretations.

Displaying his characteristic wit, Dhankhar also joked about the length of his address, telling the audience that fulfilling his obligation to speak responsibly was more important than rushing off to catch a flight. His remark drew warm applause, with many viewing it as a sign of his continued commitment to public discourse despite stepping away from high office.