Lone Muslim MLA in Gujarat Assembly sits down during Vande Mataram, triggers row

Gandhinagar: The three-day Monsoon Session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly began on Wednesday amid a political controversy over the singing of Vande Mataram at the start of the proceedings, with the ruling BJP demanding an apology from Congress MLA Imran Khedawala for reportedly sitting down during the national song.

As the House assembled for Question Hour, Khedawala, who is the lone Muslim MLA, initially stood during the singing of Vande Mataram but sat down shortly after, while other Congress MLAs remained standing until the song ended. The incident drew a sharp reaction from the ruling party, with Minister of State Pravin Mali accusing the Congress MLA of disrespecting the national song and the long-standing tradition of the Assembly.

Strongly condemning the incident on behalf of the state government, Mali said, “Whenever the Legislative Assembly begins its session, there has been a tradition for years of starting the proceedings with Vande Mataram. Today’s incident has tarnished this long-standing tradition. Congress MLA Imran Khedawala stood up when Vande Mataram began but immediately sat down, which amounts to an insult to the national song.”

Mali also questioned whether Khedawala’s conduct was an individual decision or reflected the Congress party’s official position, and demanded that the party clarify its stand and apologise to the nation.

“I want to ask Congress what its stand is on this. Was this an individual act by Khedawala, or does it reflect the Congress party’s position? The party must clarify its stand. Whether this was done deliberately or happened by mistake, Congress should make its position clear. If it was not deliberate, an apology should be offered. And even if it was deliberate, an apology must still be made to the country. This is an insult to the national song and will not be tolerated. The Gujarat government strongly condemns the incident,” he said.

“Vande Mataram means ‘I bow to Mother India’. It is a salutation to the motherland, and therefore, this amounts to an insult to Mother India and to my motherland. We strongly condemn the incident,” the MoS added.

Mali also explained why the issue was not immediately raised through a point of order in the House. He said Question Hour is meant for legislators to raise issues concerning the public and that a point of order cannot be raised during that period.

“This is the Golden Hour meant for asking questions of public interest, during which no point of order is raised. Therefore, a delegation will meet the Speaker and request action.”

A government delegation is expected to meet Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary to formally raise the issue and seek appropriate action against Khedawala. DeshGujarat