All India Speakers’ Conference: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated the two-day All India Speakers’ Conference organized at the Delhi Legislative Assembly to commemorate the 100th anniversary of freedom fighter Vitthalbhai Patel becoming the first elected Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly.
On this occasion, Delhi Assembly Speaker Shri Vijender Gupta, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, along with several other dignitaries, were present. The conference is being attended by Speakers and Deputy Speakers of state/Union Territory Legislative Assemblies, as well as Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Legislative Councils. On this occasion, the Union Home Minister also visited an exhibition on the life of Vitthalbhai Patel at the Delhi Assembly premises.
Addressing the conference, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that today marks the beginning of the nation’s legislative history. He highlighted that on this very day, the great freedom fighterVitthalbhai Patel was elected as the Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly, initiating the legislative history led by Indians. He said that this House saw significant contributions from many distinguished and senior leaders of India’s freedom movement as legislators. Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya remained a member of this House for nearly 20 years. Shri Shah added that eminent figures like Mahatma Gandhi’s mentor Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, through their powerful speeches, expressed the nation’s longing for freedom and their aspirations for independence.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah requested the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to compile the speeches delivered by eminent personalities in this House and make them available in the libraries of all legislative assemblies across the country, so that legislators and today’s youth can understand how the spirit of freedom was ignited in the Delhi Assembly.
Shri Shah said that the Delhi Legislative Assembly has organized a remarkable exhibition on the life of Vitthalbhai Patel. He urged that similar exhibitions be held in all legislative assemblies to provide information not only about Vitthalbhai’s life and contributions but also about the history of the freedom struggle to legislators, members of legislative councils, and the youth of the country. He also emphasized the need to enrich the libraries of these Houses.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Vitthalbhai Patel laid the foundation for India’s legislative traditions, strengthening today’s democracy. He said that if anyone established the framework for running the country democratically based on Indian values, it was undoubtedly the valiant Vitthalbhai Patel. He established numerous traditions that continue to guide us all, especially in legislative functions and the responsibilities of the Speaker, like a radiant beacon.
Shri Shah remarked that Vitthalbhai Patel faced many moments of trial, but he emerged successful in every test. He neither allowed the dignity of the Legislative Assembly Speaker to be diminished, nor permitted the House to suppress the voice of the nation, nor let the prevailing mindset of the British dominate the Assembly’s proceedings.
Shri Amit Shah said that during Vitthalbhai Patel’s tenure, the Legislative Department and the Legislative Assembly Secretariat were established in the Centre and all states. He highlighted that Vitthalbhai’s remark at the time was significant: no legislative assembly can function under the control of elected governments. The assembly must remain independent to ensure the meaningfulness of debates held within it. Shri Shah said that the decision taken by Vitthalbhai Patel to establish an independent legislative department was also accepted by our Constituent Assembly.
Union Home Minister said that on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vitthalbhai Patel becoming Speaker, it is a significant opportunity for all of us to work towards enhancing the dignity of the Speaker’s position in our respective legislative assemblies. He urged that we establish an impartial platform for the voice of the people in our respective states, ensure fair debates between the ruling and opposition sides, and ensure that the proceedings of the House are conducted in accordance with the rules of the Legislative Assembly, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha. Shri Shah emphasized that brainstorming is the best medium for resolving public issues in a democracy. Whenever assemblies have lost their dignity, we have had to face severe consequences. He stated that the dignity of assemblies should be such that they serve as a medium for expressing the voice of the people in the interest of the nation.
Shri Amit Shah said that in India, the Speaker is accorded the status of an institution. He highlighted that the most challenging role in the House is that of the Speaker, as they are elected from a political party but, upon taking the oath, assume the role of an impartial umpire. Shri Shah said that over the 75 years of our Constitution, Speakers across the country’s legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha have consistently worked to enhance the dignity of the House.
He emphasized that impartiality and justice are the two pillars on which the Speaker’s dignity rests. In a way, the Speaker is considered both the guardian and servant of the House. He added that over nearly 80 years, we have deepened the foundations of democracy to profound levels, proving that democracy is ingrained in the very essence and nature of the Indian people. He said that while many countries began as democracies, within a few decades, various forms of governance replaced democracy in those nations.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that after independence, India witnessed several changes in power, with peaceful transitions without a single drop of blood being shed. The primary reason for this is that we have meticulously preserved our legislative process. He added that we have also made timely reforms to our system.
Shri Amit Shah said that legislative assemblies host extensive discussions on a wide range of issues, from the farmer’s lush crops to the dreams of the youth, from women’s empowerment to the welfare of every marginalized section of society, and from national unity and integrity to national security. He emphasized that the proceedings of the legislative assembly must focus on three key aspects: wisdom, ideas, and legislation. Wisdom gives rise to ideas, and ideas lead to legislation, which is the primary function of the assembly. He added that the ultimate purpose of any law should be public welfare.
Its goal is to ensure the smooth functioning of the state and the nation, with the ultimate aim of fostering an inclusive and comprehensive development model. Shri Shah said that when the Speaker fully respects wisdom, ideas, and legislation, legislative assemblies rise above partisan interests to focus on the interests of the state and the nation, and the Lok Sabha focuses on national interests. He said that prioritizing national interest over partisan interests is the only path to achieving the highest dignified heights of democracy.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that if meaningful debates do not take place in the corridors of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, they will merely become lifeless buildings. He said that the task of expressing emotions and ideas in these buildings lies with all members of the House under the leadership of the Speaker. Only then it becomes a vibrant entity that works in the interest of the nation and the state. Shri Shah emphasized that preventing Parliament and Legislative Assemblies from functioning for political interests is not a debate.
He stressed that protests should be restrained. Symbolic protests have their place, but the emerging tradition of obstructing the House day after day, throughout entire sessions, under the pretext of protests, requires reflection from the public and elected representatives. He said that when discussions cease in the House, its contribution to the nation’s development becomes significantly limited.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that we must ensure that every legislation, or law, originates from the trust of the people and progresses in that direction. He stated that the House is the engine of democracy, and when healthy traditions are established here, national policies are formulated, and laws are crafted in the interest of the nation, the direction of the nation becomes naturally clear.
