Sardar Vithalbhai Patel (1873-1933)

Why in news? : The All India Speakers’ Conference was organised in August 2025 to commemorate the centenary of Vithalbhai Patel becoming the first elected Indian Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925.
Introduction : Vithalbhai Patel was a great nationalist, lawyer and political leader. He was the elder brother of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Born : 27 September 1873, Nadiad, Gujarat.
Major Contributions : In 1925, he became the first elected Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly. He was one of the leading members of the Swaraj Party, whose aim was to disrupt the government’s work by entering the British Legislative Councils. He was a strong supporter of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and the Non-Cooperation Movement , although he disagreed with the entry into the Legislative Councils. He also raised the demand for self-government and independence for India on international forums.