BJP accuses Gujarat Congress MLA of insulting Vande Mataram

The ruling BJP alleged that Congress MLA Imran Khedawala disrespected Vande Mataram by remaining seated during its rendition at the start of the Gujarat assembly’s monsoon session on Wednesday and demanded an apology from him.

While the Opposition Congress denied the charge, State minister Pravin Mali alleged that Khedawala stood up when the national song began but immediately sat down. Khedawala, who represents the Jamalpur-Khadia seat in Ahmedabad, is the lone Muslim MLA in Gujarat.

The three-day monsoon session of the State Assembly began in Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Mali said there was a tradition of opening the session with Vande Mataram and alleged that Khedawala’s conduct amounted to insulting the national song. “We demand an answer from the Congress for this insult; they should clarify whether this is Imran Khedawala’s personal stance or what the party’s official stand is,” he said.

The minister demanded that Khedawala apologise for his conduct.