9 September 2026 Gandhinagar: A controversy erupted in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly over the singing of Vande Mataram, with BJP Gujarat chief spokesperson Dr. Anilbhai Patel strongly criticising Congress MLA Imran Khedawala over his conduct during the rendition.
Dr. Anilbhai Patel described Khedawala’s conduct and subsequent statement as “highly condemnable” and “serious,” arguing that an elected representative has a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and respect national symbols.
Patel said the people of Gujarat would not accept what he described as an insult to Vande Mataram, and claimed that the Congress would face a strong political response in the future.
The BJP spokesperson also alleged that the controversy reflected what he termed the Congress’s “appeasement politics.” He made several historical and political references involving the Congress, Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah while criticising the party’s position on Vande Mataram.
Patel further demanded legal action by the Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and said that if other Congress MLAs had stood during the song, the Congress should seek Khedawala’s resignation.
Khedawala’s clarification
Responding to the controversy, Congress MLA Imran Khedawala said that he had remained standing while Vande Mataram was being sung.
Khedawala maintained that the version sung was the portion associated with the 1937 rendition and said that he stood for that part of the song. He claimed that he sat down when lines that were added later were being sung.
Khedawala also rejected the BJP’s criticism of his patriotism, saying that patriotism does not require a certificate from the BJP.
He clarified that his position was his personal stand and not the official position of the Congress party.
The controversy has now triggered a wider political debate in Gujarat over the national song, constitutional responsibilities, and the manner in which elected representatives should conduct themselves during its rendition.
