Chennai, May 11:
A controversy broke out over the sequence of Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the swearing-in of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam distancing itself from the protocol followed at the event.
At the ceremony, “Vande Mataram” and the National Anthem were played before Tamil Thai Vazhthu, drawing criticism from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.
Clarifying the government’s stand, Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the established practice in Tamil Nadu is to render Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the beginning of official functions, followed by the National Anthem at the end. He assured that the deviation—reportedly due to a Union government circular—will not continue.
He added that the State has conveyed its concerns to the Governor’s office and reiterated that the traditional protocol would be restored at all future events, underlining the cultural importance of giving primacy to the Tamil invocation song.