Rajasthan Assembly at 75: VP Radhakrishnan hails state's democratic legacy
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on 15 July 2025 attended the grand finale of the 'Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra' at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in Jaipur, marking the culmination of year-long celebrations commemorating the assembly's 75th anniversary. The event brought together current and former legislators, constitutional functionaries, and distinguished guests to reflect on seven and a half decades of democratic governance in the state.
VP Radhakrishnan's Address
Describing the 75-year milestone as significant in India's democratic journey, Radhakrishnan said the unity displayed by members of both the ruling party and the Opposition reflected the maturity of Indian democracy. He called Rajasthan a land of courage, sacrifice, honour, and duty, adding that public representatives earn citizen confidence through their commitment to public welfare.
The Vice President stressed that democracy extends well beyond elections and demands continuous accountability towards the people. He urged legislators to actively participate in Assembly proceedings and committee meetings, describing parliamentary committees as an essential pillar of effective governance. Accessibility and transparency, he said, are the foundations on which public trust — the greatest strength of any democratic system — is built.
Governor and Speaker Weigh In
Governor Haribhau Bagde traced India's democratic heritage to the traditions of ancient Ganarajyas and Janapadas, arguing that democracy has deep roots in the country's civilisation. He expressed concern about the declining quality of public discourse on social media and underscored the need to preserve civility, ethical conduct, and democratic decorum. Democracy, he said, is sustained not only by rights but equally by duties and responsible public conduct.
Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani noted that the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, inaugurated on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada of Vikram Samvat 2006, has played a pivotal role in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting public welfare. He described the 'Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra' as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of democratic values across generations of legislators.
Chief Minister's Commitment to Developed Rajasthan 2047
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the assembly's 75-year democratic journey reflects the state's enduring commitment to constitutional values and people-centric governance. He emphasised that the Legislature has consistently shaped Rajasthan's development and would remain central to achieving the vision of Developed Rajasthan-2047.
Significance of the Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra
The year-long 'Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra' served as a bridge between generations of lawmakers, honouring the contributions of former legislators while renewing the commitment of sitting members to democratic ideals. The event concluded with tributes to past legislators and a collective pledge to strengthen legislative traditions in Rajasthan.
With constitutional offices, the state government, and veteran lawmakers united on one platform, the occasion signals a rare moment of cross-party consensus on the enduring value of parliamentary institutions — even as debates over legislative productivity and social media civility point to challenges ahead.