Chennai, Aug 11:
On a day when the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution mandating singing of Tamil thai Vazhthu (invocation to Mother Tamil) first in all government and public functions, the Union Government on Monday informed the Madras High Court that it has not issued any order that the State song should be recited last.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan informed the First Bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that the Union Home Ministry had only stated that Vande Mataram and National Anthem should be recited at all events and has not issued any directive on the order of the recital of the State song.
When the petition filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, a resident of Royapettah area in Chennai, came up for hearing, the ASG submitted that the Union government has issued a clarificati0n on August 9, 2026 making clear that the direction was for singing the National song first followed by the National Anthem if both are sung.
He further clarified that no directive was issued as to when the state song should be sung.
He also submitted that the petition challenging the Centre’s earlier circular had become infructuous in view of a fresh notification issued by the Union Home Ministry.
Recording the submissions, the Bench adjourned the hearing of the case to next week.
The petitioner contended that placing Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the third position during official ceremonies caused deep anguish among the people and diluted the ceremonial dignity traditionally accorded to the State Song, which was relegated to the third spot (in recent events attended by the Governor).
The petitioner argued that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ January 28 circular titled “Orders Relating to the National Song of India” does not impose any constitutional or statutory restriction on rendering a State Song at the beginning of official functions. It was submitted that the circular only regulates the order between the National Anthem and Vande Mataram when both are sung together, and remains silent on State Songs.
Seeking relief, the plea urged the court to quash the January 28 circular and direct authorities to frame clear protocol guidelines ensuring that Tamil Thai Vazhthu is rendered at the commencement of official State functions, without being relegated behind Vande Mataram or the National Anthem in the absence of any binding mandate.