Chennai: A debate over the Tamil language took an unexpected turn in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday, with Finance Minister N Marie Wilson defending his use of English words and his regional style of speaking after an MLA urged him to use more Tamil.

The exchange came on a day when Chief Minister Vijay moved a resolution seeking greater prominence for the Tamil anthem, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, at government events in the state, stressing the importance of protecting the mother tongue.

During the debate on the Revised Budget, MDMK Kadayanallur MLA TM Rajendran praised Wilson's command of English but suggested that the Finance Minister give greater prominence to Tamil and use more Tamil expressions instead of mixing English words into his speeches.

Wilson responded by defending the way he speaks, saying his use of language was shaped by his more than three decades in the education sector, where much of his communication had been in English.

"I can speak only this way. This is my style. Accept it. I cannot change myself for everyone," Wilson said, rejecting the criticism of his language.

He also took a swipe at Rajendran, saying his Christian faith had taught him "the language of love, peace and compassion" and suggesting that some people might not understand that language regardless of how much Tamil they learnt.

The exchange prompted Speaker Prabhakar to intervene and urge both legislators to take the matter lightly and bring the argument to an end. He also pointed out that Rajendran himself had repeatedly used the English word "Budget" instead of the Tamil term "Nidhinilai Arikkai".

School Education Minister Rajmohan defended the use of regional varieties of Tamil, saying the language has distinct forms across regions, including Nellai, Madurai, Kanyakumari and Chennai.

He said promoting pure Tamil should not mean dismissing regional speech, arguing that the richness of the language lies in embracing its different forms.

DMK leader and former minister EV Velu also joined the discussion, saying there was nothing wrong with being bilingual in Tamil Nadu. He supported the view that regional slang and colloquial Tamil were legitimate forms of expression.

Rajendran, a first-time MLA from Kadayanallur, had raised the issue while participating in the Revised Budget debate. Hailing from the Tirunelveli region, which is widely regarded as an important centre of Tamil linguistic heritage, he had urged the Finance Minister to give greater prominence to Tamil in his speeches.

The language debate unfolded alongside the Chief Minister's resolution on Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, making the Assembly exchange particularly notable.

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CM Vijay 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.