A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after a group of 21 Members of Parliament urged Governor R.N. Ravi’s successor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, to restore the long-standing protocol of beginning official government and university functions with ‘Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu’.
The MPs have submitted a joint representation requesting the Governor to issue clear directions to educational institutions and government bodies so that the Tamil state anthem is performed at the opening of official programmes, while the National Anthem continues to be played at the conclusion of events.
Convocation Ceremony Sparks Political Debate
The demand follows the convocation ceremony held at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli on July 28, where the order of ceremonial songs triggered widespread criticism.
According to the MPs, the programme reportedly began with ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem, while ‘Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu’ was performed only afterwards. They argued that the sequence departed from the state’s long-established convention and sparked concerns among political leaders and sections of the public.
MPs Seek Protection Of Tamil Nadu’s Long-Standing Tradition
In their letter, the MPs stated that ‘Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu’ has been an integral part of official functions in Tamil Nadu for decades and was formally recognised as the state’s official anthem in 2021.
They maintained that the anthem holds deep cultural significance and requested that future events follow the traditional order to avoid similar controversies.
The MPs also pointed out that during the Governor’s address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly earlier this year, the state anthem had been performed before the National Anthem, describing it as an example of the established protocol.
Leaders Across Parties Sign Representation
The memorandum has been signed by several prominent parliamentarians, including P. Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaram, B. Manickam Tagore, Thol Thirumavalavan and Durai Vaiko, along with other MPs from Tamil Nadu.
They described the representation as a respectful appeal aimed at preserving the state’s cultural traditions rather than a political complaint.
Raj Bhavan Yet To Respond
The MPs have also sought an assurance that there was no intention to diminish the importance of ‘Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu’ or disrespect the legacy of Manonmaniam Sundaranar, after whom the university is named.
The controversy has gained momentum amid allegations that similar changes in the order of ceremonial songs have been witnessed at other official events in recent months. Raj Bhavan has not yet issued an official response to the MPs’ request.
