Gandhinagar, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The opening day of the Gujarat Assembly’s Monsoon Session was marked by a controversy over the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ on Wednesday after Congress MLA Imran Khedawala was accused of sitting down after the national song began.
State Forest and Environment Minister Pravin Mali said Assembly proceedings traditionally begin with ‘Vande Mataram’ and questioned Khedawala’s conduct during the rendition.
Mali demanded that the Congress clarify whether the MLA’s action was a personal decision or reflected the party’s position.
“Today, during the Monsoon Session, on the first day, as per tradition, the proceedings begin with Vande Mataram. Today, when Vande Mataram started, Congress MLA Imran Khedawala sat down, and we demand an answer from the Congress party regarding this insult — whether it was his personal decision or the agenda of the Congress party,” Mali said.
The minister claimed that Khedawala initially stood when the song began but soon sat down. He described the incident as an insult to the constitutional system and questioned the Congress’ position.
“This is not only an insult to the constitutional system, but the entire system should question what stand Congress is taking by insulting Vande Mataram,” Mali said.
He further alleged that Khedawala’s conduct amounted to an insult to the country and again asked the Congress to clarify whether it supported the MLA’s decision.
“Congress MLA Imran Khedawala has not only insulted Vande Mataram but the entire country. Congress should make its stand clear on the entire matter — whether this is Imran Khedawala’s personal decision or whether Congress is also supporting it,” he said.
Mali also said he would meet the Assembly Speaker and submit a complaint, seeking action in accordance with the constitutional procedure.
The controversy comes amid a broader debate over the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’. Mali referred to recent guidelines regarding the playing of the national song at government programmes and also mentioned the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters in Delhi, where, according to the account cited by him, senior party leader Sonia Gandhi had objected to all six stanzas being sung.
The Gujarat Assembly’s three-day Monsoon Session is scheduled to witness the introduction of several bills by the state government.
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