Speaking to reporters, Khedawala defended his action, saying he stood for the portion of the national song that was traditionally sung but sat down during the additional stanzas. Photo: X screengrab | @ANI
Vande Mataram row: Gujarat Speaker orders privileges panel action against Congress MLA
Imran Khedawala had stood initially but sat during the later stanzas, prompting BJP's demand for disciplinary action over alleged disrespect to the national song
Gujarat Speaker Shankar Chaudhary on Friday (September 11) ordered Privileges Committee proceedings against Congress MLA Imran Khedawala for disrespecting “Vande Mataram” by sitting midway through its recitation in the legislative assembly.
Announcing his ruling on the final day of the monsoon session, Chaudhary stated that video footage confirmed that while Khedawala initially stood with other members, he later sat as the national song was being sung.
The controversy erupted on the first day of the three-day session when Khedawala, who represents the Jamalpur-Khadia seat in Ahmedabad and is the lone Muslim MLA in the assembly, stood when Vande Mataram began, but later sat when the remaining stanzas were being sung.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday (September 10) raised a Point of Order seeking disciplinary action against Khedawala, saying his conduct had insulted Vande Mataram, disobeyed the Speaker's direction, and affected the dignity of the House.
MLA Khedawala defends his action
Khedawala had defended his action, saying he stood for the portion of the national song that was traditionally sung but sat down during the additional stanzas.
"As long as the singing of Vande Mataram was going on — the part of Vande Mataram that we usually sing — I stood up. For the latter stanzas that have been added as extra, I sat down," he had told reporters.
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He accused the BJP of trying to create a controversy and maintained that he had acted as per the Congress ideology.
Speaker’s ruling
The Speaker, in his ruling, noted that Congress members Amit Chavda and Shailesh Parmar had also expressed their views on the issue and admitted that Khedawala had made a mistake.
Chaudhary said that he had accepted Sanghavi's Point of Order and reserved his decision after the incident. He said the video showed that Khedawala sat while the song was still playing and that his action amounted to protesting its recitation.
Chaudhary said the issue was not merely about the conduct of an individual MLA as the incident had taken place inside the state legislature. He also referred to the constitutional oath taken by MLAs and the need to follow parliamentary rules and standards of conduct concerning national symbols.
The Speaker said Khedawala was not present in the House when Sanghavi raised the Point of Order, and therefore lost the opportunity to explain his position before the House. He said Khedawala subsequently explained to the media, which included his political and ideological position, but it was inappropriate for him to explain his conduct to the media rather than before the House.
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"I had specifically instructed all members from the Chair to remain standing during Vande Mataram. But, Khedawala had deliberately disregarded that direction, making the matter one of disobedience of the Chair as well as an issue concerning the dignity of the national song," the Speaker stated.
He referred to Rule 249 of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly Rules concerning breach of privilege and contempt of the House. He also cited Rules 51 and 52 regarding conduct of members and the authority of the presiding officer to maintain order and decorum.
"Utilising the authority vested in me as the presiding officer of the legislature, I have decided to hand over the matter to the Privileges Committee to investigate the incident and submit its report," Chaudhary said.
‘Symbols of country’s pride’
He also said “Vande Mataram” and “Jana Gana Mana” were symbols of the country's pride, and it was the moral and parliamentary duty of members to stand respectfully when they were sung or played.
According to the Speaker, the Gujarat assembly has been singing the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram since February 2024. At the end of a session, Vande Mataram is followed by the national anthem.
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Chaudhary warned members that action would be taken if House rules were violated in future.
(With agency inputs)