A fresh political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu after 'Vande Mataram' was sung before 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu'—the state anthem—at a swearing-in event. Opposition parties slammed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for failing to protect Tamil identity and heritage despite earlier assurances.
Similar objections were raised over the order of songs played during the swearing-in ceremony of the Tamil Nadu government led by actor-politician Joseph C. Vijay.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) attacked the TVK, alleging that the party failed to protect Tamil identity and traditions despite promises.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai termed the development “unfortunate" and said the controversy persisted even after TVK ministers had reportedly assured that the Tamil anthem would be given preference in official events.
Annadurai said the ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ should receive “pride of place" in government functions and accused TVK of being unable to “stand up and fight for the rights of Tamil."
Earlier, CPI state secretary M. Veerapandiyan had said that the 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' must be accorded the foremost place in the protocol of government ceremonies. He said that the 'Vande Mataram' played at the swearing-in ceremony violated the order of a long-standing convention in Tamil Nadu.
'Vande Mataram' was played in line with the Union Home Ministry's recent directive, making it compulsory to play the full version at formal and government events.
The controversy centres on the sequence followed during the ceremony, where ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung first, followed by the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’, while ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ was placed third.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, strongly defended the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ first and termed it as "national protocol".
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan told CNN-News18 that, “Nobody can insult Mother Tamil, Mother Tamil always respects nationalism," while accusing the DMK of indulging in anti-national politics.
Soundararajan further claimed that people had already punished the DMK for its “anti-national and anti-Sanatan" activities.
Referring to developments in Kerala, she said a similar protocol had also been followed there.
