'Vande Mataram' row in Gujarat Assembly after Cong MLA sits down during rendition

Gandhinagar, Sep 9 (AHN) The opening 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 by the State Forest and Environment Minister Pravin Mali of sitting down after the national song began.

Mali said the proceedings of the Assembly traditionally begin with 'Vande Mataram' and questioned Khedawala's conduct during the rendition.

He demanded that the Congress must clarify whether the MLA's decision was personal 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," Minister Mali added.

The Minister also said Khedawala initially stood when 'Vande Mataram' began but immediately sat down.

He described the act as an insult to the constitutional system and questioned the Congress' position on the matter.

Minister Mali said, "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."

The Minister also noted, "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 also said he would meet the Assembly Speaker and lodge a complaint, seeking action in accordance with the constitutional procedure.

The controversy comes amid a wider debate over the rendition of 'Vande Mataram'.

Minister Mali referred to recent guidelines concerning 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 Monsoon Session is scheduled to run for three days, with the state government set to introduce several bills during the sitting.