Tamil Nadu Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution to Sing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ First at Government Events

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution calling for 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' to be sung first at government functions and official events across the state. The move comes after the Centre issued directions asking states to begin official programmes with the national song Vande Mataram.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay introduced the resolution in the Assembly. Both the DMK and AIADMK supported the proposal, which seeks to give precedence to the Tamil state song at official functions. Speaker JCD Prabhakar announced that the resolution had been passed and said no further approval was required for its implementation.

Under the resolution, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' will be sung at the beginning of programmes organised by educational institutions, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay said the state would not compromise on its linguistic and cultural rights. He described Tamil as more than a language, calling it an integral part of the state’s identity, emotions, pride and strength.

The resolution follows a directive issued by the Union Home Ministry in January calling for Vande Mataram to be sung first at government programmes and asking states to comply with the instruction.

The issue has also been politically contentious in Tamil Nadu. A controversy had erupted after Vijay, following his election as an Assembly member, was accused of refusing to sing 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu'. Subsequently, the song was sung before Assembly sessions as a symbolic assertion of the legislature’s authority and Tamil cultural identity.