The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday asked English medium convents in the state to render a song hailing Telugu culture without fail in the school assemblies in addition to the national anthem.
"Private convents should make children sing 'Maa Telugu Talliki Malle Poodanda' song from henceforth," School Education Minister D Manikya Vara Prasad told the media.
The government took the decision in the wake of a convent school in Kadapa district punishing two children for speaking in Telugu.
Placards, with the words 'I will never speak in Telugu' written on them, were hung around their necks as punishment.
The action of the school evoked strong protests from outfits working for promotion of Telugu.
The government's decision, however, was sharply criticised by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi that says the song 'Maa Telugu Talliki' is against Telangana culture.
The song, written by late poet Sankarambadi Sundaracharya, hails Telugu culture and heritage.
