Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: G.V. Mavalankar
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha occupies a key constitutional position as the presiding officer of the lower house of Parliament. Although the Speaker is expected to be impartial, the Constitution allows the Lok Sabha to remove the Speaker through a resolution passed by an effective majority. Questions about the first instances of such motions are common in polity examinations, as they test both historical knowledge and understanding of parliamentary procedures.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The key concept here is that while the Council of Ministers is subject to no-confidence motions, the Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a specified majority. Historically, the first motion of this kind in the Lok Sabha was directed against G.V. Mavalankar, the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The approach is to recall early parliamentary history and associate the first removal attempt with Mavalankar, not with later Speakers such as Balram Jakhar or K.S. Hegde.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha after the adoption of the Constitution, presiding over the First Lok Sabha.
Step 2: Recognise that early in the functioning of India's Parliament, opposition members used the provision to move a resolution against the Speaker to test procedures and express dissatisfaction.
Step 3: Historical records indicate that the first such motion of no-confidence or removal was indeed moved against G.V. Mavalankar.
Step 4: Compare this with other names: Balram Jakhar, Hukum Singh and K.S. Hegde served as Speakers later in Indian parliamentary history.
Step 5: Therefore, G.V. Mavalankar is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Reliance on standard Indian polity reference books and parliamentary histories confirms that G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker to face such a motion. These sources often mention this event to illustrate that even a highly respected first Speaker was subject to the accountability mechanisms built into the Constitution. Later Speakers have also faced political pressures, but the first recorded instance was associated with Mavalankar's tenure.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Balram Jakhar: He served as Speaker for a long period in the 1980s and is known for holding the office for two full Lok Sabha terms, but he was not the first Speaker to face such a motion.
Hukum Singh: Although an important parliamentary figure, he did not hold the position at the time when the first such motion was moved.
K.S. Hegde: He served as Speaker later and is known for his integrity but was not the first Speaker against whom a removal motion was brought.
Common Pitfalls:
Because the event is relatively obscure, many aspirants rely on guesswork and are tempted to choose a more recent and familiar name like Balram Jakhar. Others forget that the first Speaker, Mavalankar, played a pivotal role in establishing parliamentary conventions and therefore is often associated with several “firsts,” including the first such motion. To avoid errors, it helps to remember Mavalankar not only as the first Speaker but also as the first to face this kind of challenge.
Final Answer:
The first Speaker of the Lok Sabha against whom a motion of no-confidence or removal was moved was G.V. Mavalankar.
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