• Source:JND
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Vande Mataram Row: Controversy erupted at the swearing-in ceremony of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay when the state song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' was placed third during the ceremony after the national anthem and the national song. The order raised eyebrows, as government functions in Tamil Nadu begin with the singing of the state song and conclude with the national anthem.

Previously, the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to give 'Vande Mataram' equal status to the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'. Under the proposed amendment, any insult to or disruption of the national anthem would attract the same punishment as currently applies to insult to or disruption of the national anthem, the national flag and the Constitution.

'Violating Established Tradition'

The CPI, which supported TVK to form the government, has strongly objected to the order in which the songs were played, saying that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu should have been the first song played at official functions in the state.

After the swearing-in ceremony, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian issued a letter saying the sequence violated the age-old tradition of Tamil Nadu, where government functions traditionally begin with 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' and end with the national anthem.

According to the instructions issued by the Raj Bhavan, giving priority to the song 'Vande Mataram' and placing the 'Tamil' song at the third position in the swearing-in ceremony organised by the Tamil Nadu government will be considered a violation of the established tradition.

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"The Tamil Nadu government should inform the public who was responsible for this lapse. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam should ensure that 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' is given priority. Such a mistake should not be allowed to continue," Veerapandian wrote in his letter.

The letter further stated, "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and the Pro Tem Speaker should ensure that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu is sung first during tomorrow's Assembly session, and the national anthem is played at the conclusion of the session. Furthermore, this sequence should be followed at all government functions and ceremonies."

Veerapandian further alleged that the issue had historical and ideological implications. He said that it had been decided during the freedom struggle itself that 'Vande Mataram' could not be accepted as the national anthem because the song was dedicated to a specific goddess and had a communal-religious nature.

"In this context, the decision taken purportedly on the instructions of Lok Bhavan to give first place to 'Vande Mataram' and third place to Tamil prayer song in the agenda of the swearing-in ceremony organised by the Tamil Nadu government is a violation of established tradition," he alleged.

VCK Joins Criticism

Another TVK ally VCK was also unhappy with the incident. Party chief Thol Thirumavalavan raised questions over the protocol change and TVK government’s stance on the issue.

TVK Distances Itself From Controversy

TVK distanced itself from the matter soon after the controversy erupted. The party claimed it did not agree with the Tamil prayer song being played in the third position and supported the "normal practice" followed in Tamil Nadu.

Minister Adhav Arjun said, "The Tamil prayer song beginning with 'Neerarum Kadaludutha...' carries a centuries-old legacy of historical glory. This song was declared the state anthem by the Tamil Nadu government as a continuation of the aspiration 'May it spread throughout the world...' It is this glorious Tamil prayer song that is played first at events in Tamil Nadu. The national anthem is played at the end of the event. This is the normal practice, this is the proper practice."

He further said, "The new government formed in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Tamilga Vetti Kazhagam has no different view on this traditional practice. In such a context, Vande Mataram was played first, then the National Anthem and the Tamil prayer song at the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister and other ministers today. This new practice is not appropriate for Tamil Nadu. The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government does not agree with the Tamil prayer song being played at the third position in our motherland."

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He further stated that in the future, events will be played with the state song at the beginning and the national anthem at the end. When we asked the Governor's opinion on this matter, it was told that it was the Governor's responsibility to act in accordance with the central government's new circular.

He said, "In that urgent situation, a Tamil prayer song was played as the third song. However, this new practice will not be adopted in the future. Instead, as per the earlier practice, the Tamil prayer song will be played at the beginning of the event and the national anthem will be played at the end!"


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