The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to make the rendition of 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu' mandatory at the beginning of government events.
The resolution received support from legislators across the House, including members of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), DMK and AIADMK.
Moving the resolution, Vijay said his government would not compromise on the state's linguistic and cultural rights. He described the issue in emotional terms, saying, “Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions”.
What does the resolution propose?
Under the resolution, 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu', the state song of Tamil Nadu, will be sung at the commencement of programmes held at educational institutions, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings across the state.
Vijay also stressed the significance of the mother tongue while speaking in the Assembly. He said the mother tongue was "as pure as our mother" and argued that giving Tamil the first place was a matter of state rights.
The resolution reiterates the state's position on the place of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at official functions.
Tamil Thaai Vazhthu vs Vande Mataram advisory
The Assembly's move comes amid a fresh advisory from the Union Home Affairs Ministry asking states and Union Territories to "strictly comply" with its January 28 directive on the playing of Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events.
The timing has brought renewed focus on the question of the sequence of songs at government functions in Tamil Nadu.
When was 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu' made state song?
Tamil Nadu has had a policy of beginning official events with Tamil Thaai Vazhthu for decades. An order issued by the state government on November 23, 1970, required the song to be sung at the start of official events.
The state formally recognised 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu' as Tamil Nadu's state song on December 12, 2021. It was later made compulsory for the song to be rendered first in the sequence at official functions.
The latest resolution seeks to reinforce that practice across government-linked institutions and events in the state.