Gujarat Speaker Refers Congress MLA to Privilege Committee Over Vande Mataram Conduct

Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary has initiated privilege proceedings against Congress MLA Imran Khedawala over his decision to sit midway through the recitation of Vande Mataram during the opening day of the monsoon session. The Speaker referred the matter to the Assembly’s Privilege Committee, directing it to investigate the incident and submit its report to the House.

The order was issued on the final day of the monsoon session while acting on a point of order raised by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Khedawala, who represents the Jamalpur-Khadia constituency in Ahmedabad, had stood when the rendition began but sat down after the second stanza, while other Congress legislators present remained standing throughout the recitation.

Khedawala later defended his action as a personal decision. Congress leaders, including Amit Chavda and Shailesh Parmar, expressed regret over the incident but clarified that his conduct did not represent the party’s position. Sanghavi had described the matter as serious and sought action against the legislator for allegedly disrespecting the national song.

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Speaker Chaudhary said video footage showed that Khedawala had intentionally sat down while the recitation was still underway, despite instructions from the Chair asking members to remain standing. He said the incident amounted to a violation of the established standards of conduct and decorum expected from an elected representative in the Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker also noted that the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram has been sung in the House since February 2026 in accordance with directives of the Union government. He said legislators who take a constitutional oath are expected to uphold the dignity of national symbols and follow the rules and conventions of the House. Chaudhary added that Khedawala had spoken to the media but was absent when the point of order was raised, thereby missing an opportunity to explain his position before the Assembly.

The Privilege Committee is headed by BJP MLA Keshubhai Patel and includes six other members, five from the BJP and one Congress legislator, Jignesh Mevani. The committee is expected to provide Khedawala an opportunity to be heard before submitting its findings and recommendations. Officials said an apology could reduce the seriousness of the matter, while sources indicated that the possibility of his expulsion from the Assembly could not be ruled out.

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