The Speakership has been described as the heart of the parliamentary system, and (poetically) "the linch–pin of the whole chariot." Apart from reflecting the prestige and authority of the position, these descriptions point to the key role the Speaker plays in the healthy functioning of parliamentary democracy. This purpose is woven into the tenets of the Speakership, and is evident in the Speaker's role as Presiding Officer of the House. This paper tries to explain the role of the speaker in India.