Gujarat Speaker orders privilege proceedings against Congress MLA Imran Khedawala

Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary on Friday ordered Privileges Committee proceedings against Congress MLA Imran Khedawala over his conduct during the recitation of Vande Mataram in the House. Chaudhary stated that video footage showed Khedawala initially standing but later sitting down while the remaining stanzas were being sung. The controversy began on the first day of the monsoon session, with Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi seeking action against Khedawala, alleging disrespect to the national song and the Speaker’s direction. Khedawala defended himself, stating he stood for the portion traditionally sung and sat down only during the additional stanzas.

Over a dozen shops were demolished in Jammu’s Satwari area on Friday as part of an ongoing highway expansion drive. Affected traders are seeking immediate rehabilitation and alternative shops. The demolition was carried out for the second consecutive day amid heavy security, after authorities issued notices to shopkeepers to vacate the premises and remove their belongings. Local traders reported that the action had disrupted their livelihoods, leaving several families without a source of income. They appealed to the administration and the Lieutenant Governor for assistance.

Banking services are likely to be impacted as bank unions launch a nationwide strike to press for a five-day workweek. Employees are advocating for changes to working arrangements and other long-pending demands, with the strike expected to affect banking operations at branches across the country. Customers may face disruptions in services, including branch operations and other routine banking work during the protest.

A church roof collapsed in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, resulting in three deaths and several injuries. Rescue teams worked through the night to locate individuals trapped under the debris. The upper floor of an under-construction CSI church collapsed at Mandai Krishnapuram near Katpadi on Thursday. Ten people were rescued initially, while one person remained trapped and was later located and pulled out by emergency teams, including the NDRF. The rescued workers were taken to government and private hospitals in Vellore for treatment. Authorities have formed a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse, while police are also probing the incident.