The Tamil Nadu Assembly began Thursday’s session with the Tamil anthem Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu and ended with the National Anthem, reaffirming the state’s decades-old convention.
The move came weeks after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony triggered a political uproar when Vande Mataram was played first.
During the Assembly proceedings, the Tamil invocation song preceded all business, while the National Anthem concluded the session. This restored the customary sequence followed at official functions across Tamil Nadu for generations.
Opposition parties and allies had strongly objected to the reversal of the anthem order at Vijay’s oath ceremony on May 10. CPI leader M. Veerapandian demanded an explanation, asserting that Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu must always hold precedence. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and PMK founder S. Ramadoss echoed similar sentiments, urging the government to uphold Tamil cultural identity.
DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan accused the Governor of insisting on Vande Mataram being sung first, suggesting the move reflected political alignment with the BJP.
TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna clarified that the party opposed the altered sequence and had raised objections with Raj Bhavan. He said the Governor followed a Union directive issued in January 2026, which required Vande Mataram to precede other songs at official events.
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