Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Gujarat Vande Mataram Row Pits BJP Against Congress MLA
A disagreement happened in the Gujarat Assembly while Vande Mataram was being sung.
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala stood for the first two stanzas and then sat down.
He said the first two stanzas were the traditional version he supports.
The BJP said lawmakers should stand for the entire song and accused him of breaking House discipline.
BJP leaders asked the Speaker to consider sending the matter to a Privilege or Ethics Committee.
Khedawala said he would not apologise because he believed he had done nothing wrong.
Several Congress leaders said his action was personal and did not represent the party.
Some Congress leaders condemned or regretted the incident and said it should not be repeated.
The Speaker said he would study the incident and issue a ruling later.
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala stood for Vande Mataram’s first two stanzas before sitting during the remaining rendition.
The incident occurred during the first two days of the Gujarat Assembly’s three-day monsoon session.
The BJP asked Speaker Shankar Chaudhary to refer the matter to the Privilege or Ethics Committee and consider action.
Khedawala said he followed the traditional version and described his decision as personal and constitutionally protected.
Congress leaders distanced the party from the act, sought an explanation from Khedawala, and urged a hearing before disciplinary action.
- Who
- Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, Gujarat BJP leaders, Congress leaders, and Speaker Shankar Chaudhary were involved.
- What
- Khedawala sat down after the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, prompting the BJP to seek disciplinary action.
- When
- The incident occurred on the first day of the Gujarat Assembly’s monsoon session, with the BJP raising it again on the second day.
- Where
- The Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar.
- Why
- The dispute concerned whether members had to stand for all six stanzas and whether Khedawala’s conduct breached Assembly discipline and protocol.
Congress and Khedawala’s Position
BJP’s Position
Which version should be sung
Congress and Khedawala’s Position
Khedawala said he supported the traditional version comprising the first two stanzas, while Congress leaders said other members followed the long-standing practice of standing for those stanzas.
BJP’s Position
The BJP said all six stanzas were now compulsory and that elected members should stand throughout the rendition.
Whether the act breached House rules
Congress and Khedawala’s Position
Khedawala called sitting down his personal choice and said the Constitution gave him the right to decide; some Congress leaders suggested reprimand or an apology rather than severe punishment.
BJP’s Position
The BJP described the act as a serious breach of the dignity, discipline, traditions, and possible privileges of the House.
Whether Congress planned or endorsed it
Congress and Khedawala’s Position
Congress leaders said the act did not reflect the party’s position, denied that it was pre-planned, and requested that Khedawala be heard before action.
BJP’s Position
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi alleged Khedawala acted deliberately and claimed Congress had discussed the matter before the session.
- Assembly strength
- The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has 182 members.
- Congress representation
- The Congress has 12 MLAs in the House.
- Khedawala’s action
- He stood for the initial two stanzas and sat during the remaining rendition.
- BJP demand
- The BJP sought action and asked that the matter be referred to the Privilege or Ethics Committee.
- Congress response
- Congress leaders said the incident was Khedawala’s personal decision, not the party’s position.
- Khedawala’s explanation
- He said he supported the version traditionally sung for decades and rejected the later stanzas.
- Speaker’s position
- Speaker Shankar Chaudhary said the issue required detailed examination before he issued a ruling.
