Hyderabad Assembly sees Vande Mataram boycott by AIMIM
HYDERABAD: A controversy erupted in the Telangana Assembly after members of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) walked out during the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the start of the Budget session on Monday.
The national song was played in the House following a recent Union government notification mandating its rendition at official events. Proceedings began with the Telangana state song ‘Jaya Jayahe Telangana’, followed by ‘Vande Mataram’.
During the song, AIMIM MLAs and MLCs silently exited the Assembly. Yakutpura MLA Jaffer Hussain and MLC Mirza Riyaz-ul-Hasan Effendi remained present, while another MLC, Mirza Rahmath Baig, initially stayed seated before leaving the House.
Members return during national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’
The AIMIM members returned to the Assembly during the rendition of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president N Ramchander Rao criticised the walkout, calling it a “highly objectionable act”. He said the move raises questions about the party’s respect for the country.
Posting on X, he said, “Where does their allegiance lie? How can people forget their leader raising ‘Jai Palestine’ slogans in Parliament?”
Centre minister calls act insult to national sentiment
Union minister Bandi Sanjay also criticised the AIMIM legislators, calling their conduct “shameful”. He said the walkout was an insult to the national song and to the spirit of the nation.
