Gujarat Congress MLA Sits During Vande Mataram

Hyderabad: While the ego of the main opposition party led to disruptions in the Telangana Assembly for the third consecutive day, the opening of the Gujarat Assembly’s Monsoon Session was marked by an incident involving Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, who did not remain standing while the national song Vande Mataram was being played in the House.

Following the recent amendment approved by Parliament, it is now mandatory to sing all the verses of Vande Mataram at official functions, and everyone is expected to stand during its rendition. Those who do not wish to sing are not required to do so, but they cannot insult the national song by refusing to stand.

Just as some radical Muslim organisations and muftis have claimed that they will follow only Sharia and not the Constitution, the Congress Working Committee recently passed a resolution stating that it would sing Vande Mataram without the reportedly controversial four stanzas, which are interpreted as referring to Hindu goddesses.

Did this encourage the Gujarat Congress MLA not to stand while Vande Mataram was being played? This was the question raised by Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Pravin Mali. He demanded that the Congress clarify whether Khedawala’s action was a personal decision or reflected the party’s official position.

The Minister also said that Khedawala initially stood when Vande Mataram began but immediately sat down. Mali said the act was not only an insult to the national song but also to the Constitution and the country.

He added that he would seek action in accordance with the constitutional provisions.

Gowriswari.

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The Hans India