Gandhinagar, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : The controversy surrounding ‘Vande Mataram‘ has escalated in the Gujarat Assembly. The issue first arose when Congress MLA Imran Khedawala remained seated during the national song on the opening day of the monsoon session. In response, a delegation of BJP ministers and legislators met with Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary to lodge a formal complaint.
Speaker Chaudhary confirmed receipt of the representation from the ministers. Sources indicate that he may clarify his position on the matter and issue necessary directives during Thursday’s session, potentially bringing the issue to the forefront on the second day of the three-day monsoon session.
The delegation included Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, ministers Kanubhai Desai, Rishikesh Patel, Praveen Mali, MLA Mahesh Kasavala, and BJP General Secretary and MLA Aniruddhsinh Jadeja.
Government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani emphasized that singing ‘Vande Mataram’ before Assembly proceedings is not a new practice but a long-standing tradition. He stated, “The Assembly operates according to its traditions, systems, and rules. The singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ has been a part of the Assembly since its inception, and this tradition was not initiated by the BJP government.”
Vaghani added that the delegation discussed the Assembly’s traditions, rules, and the Speaker’s authority, particularly concerning allegations of procedural violations. He insisted that ‘Vande Mataram’ should not be politicized, describing it as a matter of faith, respect, and nationalism. He asserted that Khedawala’s stance could not be viewed as merely personal, as he is an elected representative who should adhere to the Assembly’s rules and traditions.
The controversy began when Khedawala sat down during the singing of the national song. In his defense, Khedawala stated that he stood during the traditionally sung portions to show respect but chose to remain seated during the later segments. He characterized this as his personal ideological stance, claiming he had shown full respect during the traditional rendition.
Vaghani rejected the notion that this was merely a personal stance, asserting that the state government would not tolerate any perceived disrespect towards ‘Vande Mataram.’ He also called on the Congress party to clarify its position on the issue.
All eyes are now on the Assembly Speaker’s anticipated comments and decisions on Thursday, which could determine the future direction of this ongoing controversy.
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