CM Vijay moves resolution making Tamil anthem mandatory at government events

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has moved a resolution in the state Assembly making the rendition of the Tamil state anthem, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, mandatory at government events.

Moving the resolution, Vijay said Tamil was not merely a language but was deeply connected to the state's life, emotions and cultural identity.

Under the proposed resolution, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu will be sung at the beginning of programmes organised at educational institutions, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings across Tamil Nadu.

The move comes against the backdrop of a recent advisory from the Union Home Ministry asking states and Union Territories to "strictly comply" with its January 28 directive that Vande Mataram be played before the National Anthem at official events.

The Tamil Nadu government had issued an order on November 23, 1970, directing that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu be sung at the beginning of official functions in the state.

The song was formally recognised as Tamil Nadu's state song on December 12, 2021. The government subsequently made its rendition mandatory as the first song in the sequence at official functions.

During the Assembly proceedings, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) said the Tamil anthem represented respect for Tamil culture and pointed out that it had been sung at government events so far.

Palaniswami said his party would support the resolution, keeping political differences aside, and pledged to work towards the development of Tamil language and culture.

The resolution seeks to reinforce the existing practice and mandate the rendition of the state song at a wider range of government and educational programmes across the state.