Hyderabad, March 16 Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday criticized AIMIM legislators for walking out of the Telangana assembly during the performance of the national song 'Vande Mataram'.
He said it was "shameful" that AIMIM MLAs chose to "walk out" of the assembly while 'Vande Mataram' was being sung after Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla's address to the state legislature.
"This isn't just a protest; it is a direct insult to the national song and the spirit of our motherland. Why is MIM allergic to Indian symbols? Their true colors are out for everyone to see," the Union Minister of State for Home said in a post on X.
The governor's address began and concluded with the Telangana state song 'Jaya Jaya He Telangana' and the full rendition of the national song 'Vande Mataram' as per the Centre's recent directive, along with the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.
AIMIM legislators, who were present, stood for the Telangana state song, 'Vande Mataram', and the national anthem before the Governor's address.
However, they were seen exiting when 'Vande Mataram' was played a second time.
There was no immediate response from AIMIM to the allegation.