The placement of ‘Tamil Thai Valthu’ in third position, following the National Song and National Anthem, has drawn sharp criticism from the DMK and Left parties, who allege a violation of state tradition.
CHENNAI: The historic swearing-in ceremony of actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has been overshadowed by a heated political controversy. The row centers on the sequence of ceremonial songs played during the event held on Sunday, specifically the decision to play ‘Vande Mataram’ in its full version before the National Anthem and the state song, ‘Tamil Thai Valthu’.
While the ceremony marked the beginning of a new political chapter for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, the opposition—led by the DMK and the CPI—has accused the new administration of deviating from long-standing state protocols to appease central guidelines.
Tradition vs. New Guidelines
According to established convention in Tamil Nadu, official government functions typically commence with ‘Tamil Thai Valthu’, the state anthem. However, during Sunday’s ceremony, a group of women performed the full six-stanza, three-minute version of ‘Vande Mataram’ first. This was followed by the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, while ‘Tamil Thai Valthu’ was pushed to the third position.
The shift follows recent Union Home Ministry mandates and a Cabinet proposal to grant ‘Vande Mataram’ a status equal to the National Anthem, prescribing specific protocols for its performance at high-profile government events.
Opposition Slams ‘Violation of Convention’
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies were quick to condemn the move. Former Union Minister and DMK leader A. Raja criticized the emphasis on ‘Vande Mataram’, characterizing it as an attempt to align with the BJP’s ideological narrative.
CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandiyan issued a formal statement expressing grave concern over the “violation of established convention.”
“While we hold the National Anthem in the highest regard, Tamil is the mother of our existence. Giving precedence to ‘Vande Mataram’ and placing Tamil in the third position is an error that must not continue,” Veerapandiyan stated.
The CPI, which provides outside support to the TVK government, has demanded an explanation from the Raj Bhavan and urged the Chief Minister to ensure that ‘Tamil Thai Valthu’ is accorded its primary place in future legislative sessions.
A New Era Amidst Allegations
The controversy highlights the delicate balancing act Vijay face as he transitions from cinema to the state’s highest office. Despite the protocol row, Vijay’s first speech as Chief Minister emphasized a “new era of secularism and social justice.” Shortly after taking the oath, he paid tribute to social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, signaling his party’s commitment to Dravidian values even as critics accuse him of leaning toward central mandates.
As the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly convenes tomorrow for the swearing-in of MLAs, all eyes will be on whether the new government reverts to the traditional protocol of placing the state song at the forefront.
