Chennai: A fresh political row has broken out in Tamil Nadu after the Tamil invocation song, the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, was rendered last during a swearing-in ceremony for newly inducted ministers at Lok Bhavan on Thursday.
The controversy arose during the oath-taking event for 23 new ministers, administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The programme reportedly featured Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana ahead of the Tamil invocation, prompting criticism from Left parties and sections of Tamil political groups.
The new cabinet expansion, which includes 21 TVK MLAs and two Congress legislators, marked a significant political moment for the state. However, the focus quickly shifted to the order in which the songs were performed, with critics arguing that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu should have been given precedence as is customary in many state functions.
CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian objected to the sequencing, stressing that while his party respected the national anthem and national song, the sentiments of Tamil people required that the Tamil anthem be prioritised. He urged the Governor to give due importance to the state's cultural invocation at official events.
Separately, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam said the issue had been raised with the Chief Minister, who reportedly clarified that Vande Mataram would be performed first at events attended by the Governor.
This is not the first time the issue has surfaced. A similar dispute had emerged earlier when the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was rendered after the national song and national anthem during the Chief Minister's swearing-in on May 10, reigniting debate over protocol and cultural precedence in official ceremonies.