Somnath Chatterjee, the Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-2009), the House of the People, India, who was born on 25 July 1929, passed away on 9 May 2018 at the age of 89. On his unanimous election as the Speaker, he assured the House to discharge the functions “more as a duty rather than as an authority. ” A ten term Member of Parliament, he was widely adulated as an articulate Parliamentarian, a great debater and an eminent leader respected for his dignified conduct, erudition and husbandry over practice and procedure of Parliament, for which he was adjudged Outstanding Parliamentarian in 1996.

His Speakership was tumultuous in many ways and yet, on hindsight, despite courting controversies, he discharged his duties as Speaker conscientiously without succumbing to any external interference. He unflinchingly believed that the principle of separation of powers is not an optional feature to be “selectively recognized by the organs of the State, but one of the most essential directive of the Constitution. otherwise the Constitutional basis of our Republic and the credibility of our democratic institutions itself Will be questioned.

He ensured that the Lok Sabha Secretariat remained free from the control of the Executive branch as per the imperative of Article 98 of the Constitution and steadfastly upheld the dignity and authority of the House. As Speaker, and the Chairman of the Presiding Officers Conference, he called an emergency meeting on 20 March 2005 when athree-Judge bench of the Supreme Court passed an interim order, fixing the agenda, and ordered video recording of the proceedings, of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly (one of the 29 States of lndia) related to the vote of confidence. The Conference reiterated the supremacy of the Legislature sending the unmistakable signal that the Judiciary refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of the legislature. ln the infamous ‘cash for query case’, he directed the Lok Sabha Secretariat not to accept any notice when the Supreme Court directed that notices be issued to the ten expelled MPs and the Speaker, Lok Sabha on the grounds that the votes given by the Members cannot be questioned in anyjudicial proceedings. The writ petition was later dismissed by the Supreme Court observing that the Legislatures have the right to take disciplinary action against the Members but in certain cases (though left unspecified) the Courts may intervene.

He was unsparing when any act of misconduct of any Member came to his notice. Four Members were suspended from the service of the House for a certain period for improper conduct in the implementation of their Local Area Development Fund. He saw to it that any act of misdemeanor, whether misuse of privileges or facilities provided to the Members, if established by the Inquiry Committee, was visited by condign punishment. In exercise of the power under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, he disqualified two Members underthe anti- defection law which earned him all round admiration for erudition andjudicious temper. He never arrogated to himself the power of the Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees, more so, and notably of the House Committee. He declined to allot official accommodation to any MP. a work entrusted to the House Committee.

In order to see that the recommendations of the Department Related Standing Committees receive earnest consideration by the Executive, he issued a new Direction, making it incumbent upon every Minister to make once in six months a statement in the House regarding the status of their implementation.

He also started the practice of laying the reports of the Indian Parliamentary delegations attending international conferences and gave a distinct orientation to parliamentary diplomacy. He instituted the Prof. Hiren Mukerjee annual lecture.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, Noble laureate Mohmmad Younus and internationally acclaimed economist, Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati delivered the lectures in the consecutive years. It was under his towering speakership that the statues of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Maharana Pratap, and the statues, busts and portraits of other eminent national leaders and icons were installed/ unveiled in the Parliament Estate.

He set up the Lok Sabha Channel, the first dedicated parliamentary television channel, and the state—of—the-art Lok Sabha Museum but never interfered in their administration and allowed complete professionalism and transparency in their working. On becoming the Speaker, a fleet of luxury cars were lined up before him, but he outright rejected them, and preferred the spartan Ambassador car. No MP, not even a Minister could take him for a ride. He refused to relax the period of notice required for introduction of a Bill by any Minister and shot letters to Ministers not to leave the headquarters during the currency of Parliament He promulgated guidelines forthe tours of Parliamentary Committees putting restrictions which obviously antagonized many. Any Member speaking out of turn or without permission would receive his voluble Somnath Chatterjee, the legendary Speaker of India (1929 — 2018) commentaries often causing disenchantment Earlier, as Chairman, he would not allow any Committee Member to put irrelevant questions.

One Member expressed his angst: “l have not seen such a Chairman. " Quick came the retort: “You will see neither." As Chairman, he would see the draft report critically, edit and amend where necessary and take care to renumber the paragraphs until the end.

As Speaker, he refrained officials from highlighting any portion of the official ‘noting’, considering it an attempt to influence the competent authority. He read the whole note and passed clear and appropriate orders. He returned the files which ended, “Submitted for the perusal of the Honourable Speaker” by obsen/ing that files may be submitted for “order or decision and not for perusal " He abhorred carelessness and would not rest content without seeking written apology and assurance that the lapse will not recur, but was, in the end, magnanimous enough to pardon. A great legal luminary, renowned for his erudition, powerful articulation, wide ranging knowledge, unwavering commitment to democratic principles and values, he was, undoubtedly, the most sought after as a public speaker. He had politically withdrawn and remained aloof (politically) after demitting office in 2009. As a testament of abiding commitment to be of service to the people, as willed by him, his mortal frame was handed overto a Calcutta Hospital so that each part of his body is used for donation and research. He is dead, but his legend will live on.

Written by: Devender Singh, Former Additional Secretary, Lok Sabha and author of many books, including The Indian Parliament: Beyond the seal and signature of democracy. Currently, Adviser to Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Gol.