Tamil Anthem Sung First in Assembly, Reversing Order That Triggered Vijay Oath Row

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday adhered to its long-standing protocol by beginning proceedings with the Tamil anthem, Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, and concluding with the National Anthem.

The sequence comes weeks after a political controversy erupted over the order of songs at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony on May 10, which had triggered sharp criticism from several parties and allies.

At Thursday’s session, the Tamil anthem was rendered at the start of proceedings, followed by the National Anthem at the end, in line with a convention that has been followed in the state for decades.

Under this established practice, official government events in Tamil Nadu traditionally begin with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, an invocation in praise of Mother Tamil, and conclude with the National Anthem.

The earlier deviation from this sequence during the swearing-in ceremony had sparked immediate objections from opposition parties and coalition partners supporting the TVK government.

The controversy was further intensified after the full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram was performed at the ceremony in accordance with a January 2026 directive issued by the Union Home Ministry.

Several allies who helped the TVK secure a majority in the 234-member Assembly questioned the change in protocol, arguing that the established state practice had been altered without consultation.

CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian said Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu has historically been placed at the beginning of official functions and sought clarity from the government over the deviation.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan also criticised the altered sequence, while PMK founder S. Ramadoss urged that the Tamil invocation song must continue to receive its traditional prominence.

The DMK also launched an attack on the government, with spokesperson TKS Elangovan alleging that the Governor had insisted on starting with Vande Mataram, and suggesting the move indicated a closer alignment between Chief Minister Vijay and the BJP.

Amid growing criticism, TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna issued a clarification, stating that the government did not support any deviation from established protocol.

He described the altered order as inappropriate for Tamil Nadu and said objections were raised with Raj Bhavan after Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was placed third in the programme.

According to Arjuna, Raj Bhavan responded that it was acting in accordance with a new circular issued by the Union government.