Vithalbhai Patel | 26 Aug 2025

Source: HT

All India Speakers’ Conference was hosted by the Delhi Legislative Assembly to mark the 100th anniversary of Vithalbhai Patel becoming President of the Central Legislative Assembly.

• Early Life: Vithalbhai Patel, brother of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he practiced law in Bombay after studying in England.
• Political Career: Elected to Bombay Legislative Council (1912) and Imperial Legislative Council (1918).
  • After the Chauri Chaura incident and the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, Vithalbhai Patel left the Congress and co-founded the Swaraj Party with C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
  • In 1924 he became a member of the Central Legislative Assembly, rising as its first Indian president in 1925.

Vithalbhai Patel Role in Shaping India’s Parliamentary Traditions

• Security of Parliament: Introduced the ward and watch system for Parliament security, maintaining Speaker’s control, which continued until 2024.
  • Stood firm against British efforts to take over Parliament's security after the Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt bombing in the Central Legislative Assembly (1929) , preserving the Speaker's authority.
• Independent Parliament Secretariat: Established autonomous Parliament Secretariat reporting solely to the Speaker, ensuring independent advice and functioning.
• Legislative Assembly Department (1929): Led the creation of a separate department for the legislative body, further strengthening the Speaker’s autonomy.