In Indian parliamentary history, who is widely regarded as the "Father of the Lok Sabha" because of leadership as the first Speaker of the House of the People?

Introduction / Context:
India follows a parliamentary system, and the Lok Sabha is the directly elected House of the People. The first Speaker of this House played a key role in shaping rules, conventions and functioning, and is therefore remembered with the respectful title "Father of the Lok Sabha". This question checks awareness of that pioneering leader in Indian constitutional and parliamentary development.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks who is known as the "Father of the Lok Sabha".
- The title relates to the office of Speaker of the Lok Sabha in India.
- Options list Indian political leaders from the early years of the republic.
- We assume standard NCERT type and competitive exam GK sources as reference.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to link the honorary title with the first and most influential Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The founding Speaker guided the newly formed House in interpreting rules, maintaining discipline and establishing non partisan traditions. General studies books identify Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar as this figure and sometimes explicitly call him "Father of the Lok Sabha" for his contribution, similar to how some leaders are called fathers of specific institutions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that the Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. Step 2: Recall who became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha after the Constitution came into effect. Step 3: Identify Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar as the first Speaker and key architect of early parliamentary practices. Step 4: Recognise that due to these contributions he is popularly called "Father of the Lok Sabha". Step 5: Choose G. V. Mavalankar from the options and verify that other names do not fit this honorary title.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, students can recall that after independence, the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) evolved into the provisional Parliament and then into the Lok Sabha. Mavalankar served as Speaker of the Constituent Assembly and later became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha in 1952. His work in framing and stabilising procedures is often mentioned in standard Indian polity reference books, which explicitly connect him with this title. None of the other listed personalities served in that specific historic role.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Zakir Hussain was a distinguished educationist and later President of India, but never known as the Father of the Lok Sabha.
Anantasayanam Ayyangar served as Deputy Speaker and later as Speaker, but he is not the first Speaker and not associated with this particular title in mainstream GK sources.
Bashyam is not commonly identified in standard examinations with this title or with the first Speakership of the Lok Sabha.
Therefore only G. V. Mavalankar fits the description in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse positions of President, Vice President and Speaker because all are important constitutional posts. Another mistake is assuming that the longest serving or more widely known leader holds the honorary title, without checking who was the first in that office. To avoid confusion, always pair specific institutional titles such as "Father of the Lok Sabha" with the historically first occupant who shaped that institution in the early years.

Final Answer:
G. V. Mavalankar