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Delhi Assembly to Host First All India Speakers’ Conference

24 Aug 2025 GS 2 Polity
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  • Occasion: First-ever All India Speakers’ Conference hosted by the Delhi Assembly.

  • Date: August 23 (two-day event).

  • Inauguration: By Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

  • Participants:

    • 29 State Assembly Speakers

    • Chairmen & Deputy Chairmen of 6 Legislative Councils

    • Senior Union Ministers and Rajya Sabha Chairman

  • Key Highlights:

    • Release of a commemorative stamp to mark 100 years of Vitthalbhai Patel, the first elected Indian Speaker (1925).

    • Inauguration of an exhibition on legislative history.

  • Significance:

    • One of the largest gatherings of presiding officers in recent history.

    • Strengthens parliamentary traditions, cooperative federalism, and legislative reforms.

    • Provides a forum for exchange of best practices among legislatures.

Vithalbhai Patel: Legal and Parliamentary Contributions

  • Early Legislative Role (Bombay Council)

    • In 1912, introduced an amendment to the Bombay Medical Act to regulate doctors and check malpractice (excluded Ayurvedic physicians).

    • In 1914, played a significant role in the Bombay District Municipal Act Amendment Bill and Town Planning Bill.

    • In 1917, championed the extension of primary education to municipal districts of the Bombay Presidency (outside Bombay city), a reform passed after prolonged debate and modifications.

    Role in Swaraj Party

    • After Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 (post-Chauri Chaura), Patel, with Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das, co-founded the Swaraj Party.

    • Objective: enter councils, obstruct colonial governance from within, and demand constitutional reforms.

    • The party soon became the largest single party in the Central Legislative Assembly and in several provinces.

    • Patel emerged as a strong parliamentarian, noted for his legal expertise and strategic opposition to colonial policies.

    • Served as Deputy Leader of the Swaraj Party.

  • Political Base:

    • Supported by Swaraj Party in the 1925 elections, which gave him a solid political foundation.

  • Significant Victory (1925):

    • On 22 August 1925, Patel defeated the British government’s candidate.

    • Symbolic achievement: proved that Indians could carve space in British-controlled institutions and use them to challenge colonial policies.

  • Legacy:

    • Among the early Indian leaders to demonstrate how legislatures could be used as instruments of constitutional resistance.

    • His victory marked a significant shift in asserting Indian voices within British parliamentary structures.


All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) – 85th Session

  • Date & Venue: 20–21 January 2025, Patna, Bihar.

  • Significance: Apex body of legislatures in India; platform for sharing best practices, innovations, and legislative strengthening.

  • Hosted by: Bihar Legislature (after 43 years, last in 1982).

  • Bihar last hosted AIPOC in 1982 and before that in 1964. 

  • Chair: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

  • Co-host: Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav.

  • Special Attendee: Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh.

The All India Presiding Officers Conference began in 1921.

Theme

  • “75th Glorious Journey of the Indian Constitution”

  • Focus on:

    • Contribution of Parliament and State Legislatures in empowering constitutional values.

    • Reflections on the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution (26 Nov 1949 – 26 Nov 2024).

Importance

  • Symbolises cooperative federalism and dialogue among legislatures.

  • Promotes parliamentary democracy, procedural reforms, and innovations.

  • Special in 2025 as it coincides with Amrit Kaal and the Constitution’s 75th year.

  • Third time Bihar is hosting (previous: 1961, 1982).



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