Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Manickam Tagore has criticized the protocol set for the upcoming convocation at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli. He expressed concern that the prescribed order of events undermines the state’s cultural and linguistic identity. Tagore called for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to retract the directive and issue a public apology to the people of Tamil Nadu.
The controversy revolves around the 33rd convocation of the university, scheduled for July 28, where Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is expected to confer degrees. Tagore highlighted that the university’s Vice-Chancellor mentioned a circular from the Governor’s office directing the ceremony to start with Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem, and then the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state’s invocation song.
Describing the situation as “deeply shocking,” Tagore emphasized that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu was penned by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, the university’s namesake. He argued that placing the song third in the order at an institution named after the scholar was disrespectful to Tamil language, culture, and the people’s sentiments. Tagore accused the Union government of attempting to diminish Tamil identity through this reported circular.
Tagore insisted that the order requiring Vande Mataram to precede the National Anthem and the state song was responsible for what he termed the “humiliation” of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. He called for the immediate revocation of the directive by Amit Shah and a public apology. Tagore also criticized the BJP leadership for allegedly disregarding Tamil language, culture, and state rights, emphasizing Tamil Nadu’s historical commitment to India’s unity and its linguistic heritage.
