The Communist Party of India (CPI) expressed disapproval over the sequence of songs played during the swearing-in ceremony of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The party raised concerns about the state song ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ being placed third instead of first during the event. CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian emphasized the importance of giving priority to the Tamil invocation in government functions in Tamil Nadu.
Veerapandian highlighted that the customary practice in the state dictates that official events commence with the ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’, followed by the national anthem at the end of the program. He criticized the introduction of ‘Vande Mataram’ in between, stating that it disrupted the established protocol observed in political and administrative gatherings in Tamil Nadu. The CPI leader insisted that the Tamil invocation should precede the national anthem during the oath-taking of newly-elected MLAs and in all official government functions.
According to Veerapandian, ‘Vande Mataram’, being a song associated with a deity, should not be equated with the national anthem. He emphasized the historical significance of Tamil identity and linguistic pride in the political culture of Tamil Nadu, stressing that these aspects should be honored by all governments, regardless of their political affiliations. The CPI’s critique is notable as the party supported Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) following the fragmented mandate in the Assembly election results.
