No compromise: Vijay's push to mandate Tamil anthem gets all-party backing

The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requiring Tamil Thaai Vazhthu before government functions. The move, backed by all parties, came amid a row over the Centre's advisory on Vande Mataram.Moving the resolution, Vijay described Tamil as more than a language. (PTI Photo)The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution mandating the rendition of 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu' at the beginning of government functions, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay asserting that he would not compromise on the linguistic and cultural rights of the state.Moving the resolution, Vijay described Tamil as more than a language, calling it an integral part of people’s identity and emotions.“Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions,” Vijay said, stressing that the mother-tongue carries the same sanctity as one’s mother.“Singing the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is not against the political system or India's unity. On the contrary, it reflects the nation's high principle of unity in diversity,” he said. The Chief Minister questioned whether Tamil Nadu did not have the right to give its state anthem the first place at official events.He said his government had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking appropriate respect for state songs and made it clear that the TVK government would not compromise on the dignity accorded to the Tamil anthem. "Tamil is ‘gethu’ (pride) and power,” Vijay said, adding that whenever the identity of Tamil is invoked, people across the state come together.The resolution seeks to ensure that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is sung before the commencement of programmes at educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public organisations in Tamil Nadu.The resolution comes amid a fresh dispute over the Centre's advisory asking states and Union Territories to strictly comply with its January 28 directive that Vande Mataram be played before the National Anthem at official events.The Assembly resolution noted that the song, taken from Manonmaniam Sundaranar's 1891 play Manonmaniam, had been ordered to be sung at the beginning of official events from November 23, 1970.It was officially recognised as Tamil Nadu's state song on December 12, 2021.The resolution also recorded that the state government had already ordered the anthem to be sung before the start of events at educational institutions, universities, government offices, PSUs and other public organisations in the state.Speaker JCD Prabhakar announced that the resolution had been passed unanimously and said its implementation did not require permission from anyone.He also recalled that while Tamil Thaai Vazhthu had been sung since 1970, former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had introduced its rendition before the commencement of Assembly proceedings in 1991.VIJAY GETS ALL-PARTY BACKINGThe resolution received support from across the political spectrum, including the opposition AIADMK and DMK.AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami said singing the state song was not against anyone and represented respect for the mother tongue. He said political differences should not prevent parties from standing together for Tamil and extended the AIADMK's wholehearted support to the resolution.DMK also backed the resolution and called for Tamil Thaai Vazhthu to be made mandatory through law.VCK, Congress, PMK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML members also supported the resolution, with several members urging the state government to press the Centre on the issue and strengthen legal provisions to ensure its implementation.PMK's Sivakumar said universities should also come under state control and called for the government to engage with the Centre and exert pressure for the state song to be sung first.CPI MLA Marimuthu said the resolution should make clear that the Centre must not interfere with the emotions and sentiments of the state.IUML minister Shahjahan said the resolution would help bring an end to the Centre's circular.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 11:53 IST