Indias parliamentary independence was asserted even before Independence: Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta

The commemorative event, held at the historic Old Secretariat, also witnessed floral tributes at Patels statue in the presence of Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, senior Assembly officials, distinguished guests, and school students participating in the Assemblys Youth Outreach Programme.

According to a press release issued by the office of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat, addressing the gathering, Gupta said, Indias parliamentary independence was asserted long before independence itself. Veer Vithalbhai Patel demonstrated that even under colonial rule, the authority of the legislature could not be subordinated to the will of the government, and that the dignity of the Chair must remain beyond political pressure.

Describing Veer Vithalbhai Patel as one of the principal architects of Indias parliamentary traditions, the Speaker said his fearless leadership established enduring conventions of impartiality, procedural discipline, and institutional independence that continue to guide democratic legislatures. He noted that Patels mastery of parliamentary procedure compelled the British administration to answer before the legislature, reinforcing the principle that governments remain accountable to elected representatives.

The Speaker recalled that Vithalbhai Patels remarkable public life, from Mayor of the Bombay Municipal Corporation to President of the Central Legislative Assembly, reflected the rise of democratic consciousness in colonial India. Born on 27 September 1873 and passing away in Geneva on 22 October 1933, Patel left behind a legacy of public service, constitutional integrity, and commitment to Indias freedom struggle.

Highlighting the deep historical connection between Veer Vithalbhai Patel and the Assembly building, Gupta said the Old Secretariat, constructed in 1912, had served as the seat of Indias early central legislature. He recalled that Patel entered the Imperial Legislative Council in 1918, was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1924 and again in 1926, and served as its President from 1925 to 1930 in the very building that today houses the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

This historic House witnessed a defining phase in Indias parliamentary evolution, where Indian representatives challenged colonial authority through constitutional debate and legislative action, he said, adding that the principles of Chair independence, informed deliberation, and procedural discipline established during Patels tenure remain indispensable for preserving institutional accountability and public trust.

The occasion also underscored the Assemblys efforts to introduce younger generations to Indias democratic heritage. The special issue of Vidhan Chetna was released in the presence of school students visiting the Assembly under its Youth Outreach Programme, symbolically connecting Indias parliamentary past with its democratic future.

Interacting with the students, Gupta said that the future of Indian democracy depends not only on strong institutions but also on informed and engaged citizens. He encouraged them to understand constitutional values, parliamentary traditions, and the sacrifices of leaders who laid the foundations of Indias legislative democracy. He said the Youth Outreach Programme aims to familiarise young citizens with legislative functioning while fostering informed debate, discipline, and respect for diverse viewpoints.

The Speaker further noted that the commemorative issue of Vidhan Chetna would serve as an important resource for introducing younger generations to Veer Vithalbhai Patels life and contributions. Recalling the Assembly Secretariats publication of the coffee-table book Shatabdi Yatra: Veer Vithalbhai Patel last year, he reaffirmed the Delhi Legislative Assemblys commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of one of Indias foremost parliamentary pioneers. (ANI)