Minister Praveen Mali Demands Explanation Over MLA’s Conduct

In a sharp statement on Wednesday, Gujarat’s Forest and Environment Minister Praveen Mali called for an immediate clarification from the Congress party after accusing MLA Imran Khedarwala of sitting down during the rendition of "Vande Mataram" at the start of the monsoon session.

Mali noted that the assembly customarily commences with the national anthem, a practice he described as an essential part of the constitutional framework. He argued that Khedarwala’s decision to sit midway through the anthem represented not only an insult to the song but also to the nation itself.

The minister demanded that the Congress outline whether the incident was a personal lapse or reflected a broader political strategy. He also warned that such conduct could be seen as a challenge to the dignity of the country's symbols.

Taking the matter further, Mali said he would approach the Assembly Speaker to register a formal complaint and seek action under the assembly's code of conduct. The controversy arrives alongside an ongoing national conversation about the appropriate setting for the anthem, with recent government guidelines reinforcing its mandatory performance at official events.

Mali also recalled a past Independence Day function at the Congress headquarters in Delhi where senior leader Sonia Gandhi objected to the full six‑verse rendition of the song. The monsoon session, set to run for three days, will see the introduction of several legislative proposals.