Patna, Feb 16 (IANS): The AIMIM MLAs have refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' during the upcoming budget session of Bihar Assembly.

State AIMIM chief and member of Legislative Assembly from Amaur, Akhtarul Imam said that he and four other party MLAs had refused to sing the national song on the last day of the winter session and will do the same in the Budget session getting underway on February 25.

Imam's statement came a day after Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha asked every legislator of the Assembly and Council to sing national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) and national song (Vande Mataram). He said that the national anthem and national song are the symbols of unity and integrity of the nation. Hence, every countryman should sing them publically.

"Vande Mataram gives an impression of worshipping a piece of land and other things which in Islam, is not mentioned. Hence, we refuse to sing it on any platform. The NDA government is in majority in Bihar. They can take a decision to withdraw the national song from Assembly proceedings. They should respect every caste and religion to present a beautiful picture of democracy," Imam said.

He further said that he has no hesitation or objection to sing the national anthem.