Hyderabad , Oct 29 The Andhra Pradesh government today 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&aposMaa Telugu Talliki Malle Poodanda&apossong from henceforth," School Education Minister D Manikya Vara Prasad told reporters.

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&aposs decision, however, was sharply criticised by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) that says the song"Maa Telugu Talliki"is against Telangana culture.