Tamil Nadu Assembly follows tradition, begins with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu and ends with National Anthem
PTC Web Desk: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday followed its long-standing practice of starting proceedings with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu and ending with the National Anthem.
The move comes more than a month after a controversy broke out over the order in which songs were played during Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's swearing-in ceremony on May 10.
As per the tradition followed in Tamil Nadu for decades, official government programmes begin with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, a song praising Mother Tamil, while the National Anthem is played at the conclusion of the event. The same protocol was followed during Thursday's Assembly session.
The issue gained attention during Vijay's oath-taking ceremony when the sequence was changed. The decision drew criticism from opposition parties and even some allies of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The controversy intensified after the full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram was played at the ceremony in accordance with a directive issued by the Union Home Ministry in January 2026.
Several political leaders questioned the change. CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian said Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu has traditionally held the first place at official state functions and sought an explanation from the government.
VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan also objected to the altered sequence, while PMK founder S. Ramadoss urged the government to continue giving due importance to the Tamil invocation song.
The DMK too criticised the development. Party spokesperson TKS Elangovan alleged that the Governor had pushed for Vande Mataram to be played first and claimed the move indicated growing closeness between the TVK and the BJP.
Responding to the criticism, TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna said the state government did not support the change in protocol. He termed the sequence "unsuitable for Tamil Nadu" and said the party had raised objections with Raj Bhavan after Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was placed third in the programme.
According to Arjuna, Raj Bhavan informed the party that the Governor was acting in line with a new circular issued by the Union government.
With the Assembly now following the state's customary protocol, the government appears to have returned to the practice that has traditionally been observed at official functions in Tamil Nadu.
- With inputs from agencies
