‘Tamil songs before Vande Mataram’: Controversy escalates as TVK chief Vijay swears by national songs

New Delhi: Communist Party of India state secretary M Veerapandiyan on Sunday said “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” (the national anthem of Tamil Nadu) must take primacy in government ritual protocol.In a letter issued after the swearing-in ceremony of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, Veera Pandyan objected to the order of songs to be played during the event. The ceremony started with the national anthem “Vande Mataram”, followed by the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” and the third one “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu”.Communist Party of India leaders said the order went against long-standing practice in Tamil Nadu, where official functions traditionally begin with “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” and end with the national anthem.“As per the instructions issued by the Indian Parliament, the song ‘Vande Mataram’ was given first place and Tamil at third place in the program of the swearing-in ceremony organized by the Tamil Nadu government, which is against the established practice. The Tamil Nadu government must explain to the public who is responsible for this lapse. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam must ensure that Thamizhthai Vaazhthu gets primacy. Such a mistake TN Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and the pro-tem Speaker will ensure that ‘Thamizhthai Vaazhthu’ is sung and the national anthem is played first at tomorrow’s Parliament session to swear in members and all government functions and ceremonies,” Veerapandiyan wrote in the letter.Also read: How Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay used profanity at an event to send a message to the BJPVeerapandiyan further claimed that the issue has historical and ideological implications. He said that during the freedom struggle, it was decided that ‘Vande Mataram’ could not be used as the national anthem as the song was dedicated to a specific deity and had sectarian religious characteristics.“In this case, the decision, allegedly taken on the instructions of the Lok Sabha, to give primary status to ‘Vande Mataram’ while placing Tamil prayers at the third position in the agenda of the oath-taking ceremony organized by the Tamil Nadu government is against the established tradition,” he claimed.“The Tamil Nadu government must provide a public explanation and identify those responsible for this mistake,” he said.Veerapandiyan further urged TVK to ensure that ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ is restored to its rightful place in future events and such mistakes are not repeated again.The controversy erupted during Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, which attracted huge crowds and several prominent political leaders.The playback of ‘Vande Mataram’ is in compliance with the recent directive of the Union Home Ministry, making it mandatory to play the full version at official functions and government functions. The development comes as the center commemorates the 150th anniversary of the national anthem.Earlier this week, the federal cabinet approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insult to National Honor Act to treat “Vande Mataram” on par with the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana”. Under the proposed amendments, insults or obstructions related to the national anthem could be subject to the same penalties that currently apply to the anthem, flag and constitution.Although TVK failed to win a majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay secured support from the Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML, enabling him to cross a majority of 118 MLAs and form the government.