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A major controversy has once again erupted in Tamil Nadu politics over language and cultural rights. The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution mandating the singing of the state song “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” as the first line of the song at government functions. The resolution, introduced by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani , received support from the ruling party as well as the DMK and AIADMK .

This development is being seen as a response to the Central Government’s directive, which mentioned the provision of playing the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ first and then the national anthem in government programmes.

Proposal to give first priority to Tamil song

According to a resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, programmes organised in educational institutions, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings in the state will be started with ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ .

Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar announced the passage of the resolution and said no additional permission was required to implement it.

Chief Minister Vijay, during his address to the Assembly, stressed the importance of the Tamil language and said that Tamil Nadu will not compromise on its linguistic and cultural rights.

“Tamil is our life and emotions”

Vijay said that Tamil is not just a language, but it is linked to the identity and sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.

He said that “Tamil means pride, Tamil means power” and when the name of Tamil is taken, the entire Tamil Nadu stands united.

Vijay categorically said that it is the state’s right to give ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ the first place in Tamil Nadu.

According to him, respect for mother tongue is as important as respect for mother.

Controversy escalated amid the Centre’s directive

This entire controversy has intensified after the Central Government’s directive in which instructions were given to the states regarding the order of the national song and the national anthem in government programmes.

The advisory issued in July asked states to strictly adhere to the January directive that when the state song is sung or played along with the national song or the national anthem, the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ should be played first and then the national anthem .

The new proposal of the Tamil Nadu government is being seen as a step to assert the linguistic rights of the state amid this arrangement.

The ancient history of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’

In Tamil Nadu, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” has a special significance in government ceremonies. It was made mandatory for government functions in 1970, and the tradition of singing it at the beginning of official events has continued ever since.

Later in the year 2021 it was recognized as the state song of Tamil Nadu .

However, a controversy had erupted in May this year after a Tamil song was played third after the national anthem and the national anthem during a university event.

There was also controversy over the swearing-in of ministers from Vijay’s party.

A few weeks later, there was a controversy over the sequence of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the swearing-in ceremony of 23 MLAs of Vijay’s party as ministers .

TVK claimed that the decision to place the song third was taken by the Governor’s office.

After this entire incident, a proposal to give first priority to the state song has now been passed in the Assembly.

MPs from Tamil Nadu also raised the issue

Recently, 21 MPs from Tamil Nadu had written a letter to the Governor demanding that arrangements be made to play the state song first in official functions and the national song and the national anthem should be played after it.

In such a situation, the latest proposal of the Assembly makes this issue to language and cultural identity more politically important.

DMK and AIADMK also extended support

The resolution was notable for its support not just from Vijay’s political camp. Both the DMK and the AIADMK also supported the resolution.

The unanimous passage of the resolution in the Assembly has clearly indicated that the issue of primacy of Tamil language and state song is gaining widespread support in Tamil Nadu politics.

Centre-state dispute may escalate further

This decision of the Tamil Nadu Assembly is likely to further intensify the political debate between the Centre and the state over language and cultural rights.

Chief Minister Vijay has made it clear that his government will not compromise on the linguistic and cultural rights of Tamil Nadu.

Now the focus will be on what further stand emerges between the Central Government and the Tamil Nadu Government on this issue after the Assembly resolution.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution to have “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” sung first at government functions. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani linked Tamil to the state’s identity, pride, and sentiments, saying it was Tamil Nadu’s right to give the state song its first priority. The DMK and AIADMK also supported the resolution. This decision comes amid the Centre’s directives regarding the order of the national song “Vande Mataram” and the national anthem, and is likely to intensify the political debate between the Centre and the state over language and cultural rights.