Congress legislator Imran Khedawala objects to BJP members’ language during bridge construction debate
Team Clarion
GANDHINAGAR – Gujarat’s sole Muslim MLA, Congress’s Imran Khedawala, has appealed to the Assembly Speaker for protection after some BJP members repeatedly referred to him as being “from a particular community” during a heated debate on infrastructure projects in Ahmedabad.
The controversy arose during a discussion in the assembly on Monday on the delayed construction of a bridge connecting Vishala Circle to Sarkhej Cross Road, which passes through Muslim-majority areas. Minister Jagadish Vishwakarma, while explaining the hold-ups, cited “encroachments” and remarked, “there are more than 700 non-veg lorries, shops, kiosks, more than 1,200 rickshaws, and around 11 garages of a particular community illegally encroaching the area”.
He said around six religious encroachments of “a particular community” also exist.
He further singled out Khedawala, stating, “When only one particular community occupies the entire state, then respectable Imran Bhai, it is your responsibility to ensure your community does not occupy it wrongly.” Vishwakarma also alleged that the Congress MLA’s office in Jamalpur was illegally built — a claim Khedawala denied.
The Congress legislator, visibly upset, objected to the remarks, telling Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, “Here, I am the only Muslim MLA among 182 members. I seek your protection. I raise issues of the community and Gujarat within constitutional limits. Such indecent language should not be used in the assembly.”
Speaker Chaudhary intervened, urging members to “show mutual respect” and avoid personal references. However, the incident has sparked concerns over communal undertones in legislative debates.
Khedawala, who represents Gandhinagar South, emphasised his role as a representative of all constituents, regardless of religion. The BJP has not yet issued an official response to the allegations of discriminatory language.
The bridge project, initially aimed at easing traffic, has now become a flashpoint in Gujarat’s political discourse, with opposition figures accusing the ruling party of targeting minority communities under the guise of urban development.
