Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Parliament is the driving force of democracy, adding that when constructive traditions are upheld and policies in the national interest are framed, the country naturally moves in the right direction.
Shah was speaking at the All India Speakers’ Conference at the Delhi Assembly.
“In a way, the House is the engine of democracy. It serves as a medium to take democracy forward. When healthy traditions are built here and policies in the interest of the nation are framed, the country’s direction becomes clear on its own,” IANS quoted Shah as saying.
House Must Strictly Follow Rules
Shah stressed that the functioning of the House must strictly follow the rules of the respective legislatures. He noted that in India’s 13,000-year history, any decline in the dignity of assemblies has led to serious consequences.
“It is an opportunity for all of us to work towards increasing the dignity and respect of the post of the Speaker. We should strive to offer an unbiased platform to raise the issues of the people of our country. An unbiased argument must be done by the government and the opposition. We must ensure that the functioning of the House is carried out as per the rules of the respective House. In our 13000-year-long history, whenever the assemblies have lost their dignity, we have had to face dire consequences,” Shah said.
Significance Of August 24
Shah highlighted the historic significance of August 24, noting that India’s legislative history began with freedom fighter Vitthalbhai Patel becoming the Speaker of the Central Assembly.
“Today is the day when the legislative history of the country began, and we are present in the same House where it began. On this day, the legislative history of India began with the great freedom fighter, Vitthalbhai Patel, becoming the Speaker of the Central Assembly. And today, all the Speakers, Deputy Speakers and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council who run the legislatures of the country are present here. So, in a way, the entire legislative system that has created a golden history and which is working towards a golden future is present in this historic House today,” ANI quoted Shah as saying.
Shah Pays Tribute To Vithalbhai Patel
Before the event, Union Minister Shah paid homage to Vithalbhai Patel, India’s first elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly. The Assembly, created under the Government of India Act 1919, served as the lower house of the bicameral legislature during British rule.
