The Lok Sabha Speaker is the governing authority of the lower chamber of Parliament. Articles 93 to 96 of the Constitution of India deal with their and the deputy speaker’s offices. The Office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is an important post in Indian parliamentary democracy.
Historical Background
Under the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms), the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts were established in India in 1921. Until 1947, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were known as the President and Deputy President, respectively.
Before 1921, the Governor-General of India headed the Central Legislative Council. The Governor-General of India selected Frederick Whyte and Sachidanand Sinha as the very first Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly, respectively, in 1921. Vithalbhai J. Patel was the 1st Indian and first chosen President of the Central Legislative Assembly (in 1925).
The Government of India Act of 1935 altered the titles of the Central Legislative Assembly’s President and Deputy President to Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively. However, because the federal portion of the 1935 Act was not executed, the old terminology was maintained until 1947.
G V Mavalankar was the Lok Sabha’s first Speaker. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, 1st Deputy Speaker of the lower house, i.e., Lok Sabha
The Speaker’s Roles and Responsibilities
- The Lok Sabha is led by the Speaker.
- He/she is the House’s primary spokesperson, and their judgement on all parliamentary affairs is final.
- The Lok Sabha Speaker gets his or her authority from three sources:
- The Indian Constitution.
- Business Conduct and Procedures of the Lok Sabha.
- The Conventions of Parliament.
- The Speaker’s principal role is to preserve discipline and decency in the House while conducting business and controlling its activities. He or she has the last say on this subject.
Voting rights
- In the first case, they do not vote.
- In the event of a tie, he or she may cast a casting vote.
- The Speaker presides over a joint session of the two chambers of Parliament. The President convenes a joint sitting to break a standstill between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on a bill.
The Relevance of the Lok Sabha Speakership
- The Speaker symbolises the House’s overall power, whilst parliament members represent particular constituencies.
- The Speaker’s office represents the House’s prestige, honour, and authority over which they preside.
- The Speaker is regarded as the primary defender of parliamentary democracy’s traditions.
- The Speaker’s activities and actions are scrutinised in the House, and he/she cannot ignore any area of legislative activity.
- The Speaker’s Office has been accorded a very high place (Seventh Rank) in India’s Warrant of Precedence, alongside the Chief Justice of India and second only to the President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister. He/she is greater in position than all the members of the cabinet combined.
Issues Regarding the Speakership in the Lok Sabha
Prefer the ruling party
- The Supreme Court has issued many decisions concerning the anti-defection statute. A recurring topic in these judgements is the overtly political behaviour of speakers in various state legislatures.
- Over the previous decade, finding an objective and independent Speaker has been difficult.
Party Interests vs National Interests
- By remaining an active member of the ruling party, the Speaker avoids any debate or discussion necessary for the national interest but may embarrass the ruling party.
Increased Disorder in Parliament
- The Speaker’s partisanship and disinterest in opposition parties’ demands frequently lead to persistent interruptions of Parliament by the opponents.
- Indeed, a speaker who remains a ruling party member is analogous to an umpire selected by the attacking team.
- The constant interruption of Parliament not only harms the House’s reputation but also undermines the basic duty of any legislature, i.e., the obligation to establish laws for the excellent administration of the country after serious discussion and deliberation.
