Hyderabad, March 25 The Telangana BJP has urged Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to direct the Assembly Speaker to suspend the membership of AIMIM MLAs for showing disrespect towards the national song in the Assembly.
A delegation of BJP leaders, led by the party's state President N. Ramchander Rao, met the Governor at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum, seeking action against the AIMIM MLAs.
The BJP brought to the Governor's notice that on March 16, the first day of the Assembly's budget session, when "Vande Mataram," which was recently declared as the national song by the Union Home Ministry to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the song, was being recited as mandated by the Ministry, the members of AIMIM walked out of the House.
The BJP stated that "Vande Mataram" song inspired millions of youth and citizens of this country in their fight against British rule during India's struggle for freedom. "Given the greatness of 'Vande Mataram,' the very act of the MIM MLAs walking out of the House while it was being recited in chorus by the members of the Public Representatives is not only contemptuous and a disservice to the nation, but also a gross dishonor and insult," reads the memorandum.
The party alleged that this shows the "disdainful attitude and lack of respect towards national symbols and other important national things" by the AIMIM MLAs. "This incident once again highlights the party's (AIMIM) allegiance and raises questions about their patriotism towards the country," it said.
The BJP requested the Governor to direct the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly to take all appropriate steps, including the suspension of those AIMIM MLAs who walked out of the Assembly when "Vande Mataram" was being recited in the House.
"Your kind action in this matter will serve as an exemplary lesson to those who show scant regard and disrespect towards national symbols and national songs," it added.