Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu following a breach of traditional ceremony protocol during the swearing-in of the state’s new government, led by actor-turned-politician Joseph C. Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The controversy centers on the sequence of anthems performed at the event, where, in a departure from long-standing state convention, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung first, followed by the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, leaving the state anthem, ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’, in the third slot.
The swearing-in ceremony of Joseph C. Vijay’s new Tamil Nadu government sparked controversy after ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung before the state anthem, drawing criticism from DMK and CPI while the BJP defended it as adherence to a Union directive.
Opposition parties, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), wasted no time in condemning the TVK. They allege that the new administration has already reneged on its promises to safeguard Tamil heritage and identity. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai labeled the event “unfortunate,” noting that TVK ministers had previously assured the public that the Tamil anthem would retain its pride of place.
He accused the TVK of failing to stand up for the cultural rights of the state. Similarly, CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandiyan argued that the ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ must be accorded the foremost position in government protocol, as per established regional norms.
The shift in protocol appears to be a direct response to a recent Union Home Ministry directive. To mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, the Centre has made it mandatory to play the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ at all formal government functions.
“Vande mataram followed by the national anthem followed by tamil thai vazhthu”.
இப்போது என்ன விளக்கம் கொடுக்கப் போகிறீர்கள்?
ஒன்றிய அரசிடம் அடிபணிந்து, வாய் திறக்காமல் எந்த எதிர்வினையும் காட்டாமல் இருப்பதன் மூலம் கேலிக்கூத்தாகிக் கொண்டிருப்பது தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் மரியாதை மட்டும்… https://t.co/uUnXTTjAfG pic.twitter.com/lW5SYYy6di
— Pops (@tis_Pops) May 21, 2026
This “anthem war” underscores the delicate balancing act Joseph C. Vijay faces as his administration begins its debut term. The government finds itself caught between the federal mandates of New Delhi and the fierce linguistic pride of the Tamil electorate.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in strong defense of the TVK’s adherence to this national protocol. BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that Mother Tamil always respects nationalism and accused the DMK of indulging in anti-national politics. She further argued that similar protocols have been implemented in neighboring Kerala without such friction, suggesting that the DMK’s opposition is a calculated attempt to stir controversy.
While the BJP maintains that the order followed is a matter of national protocol, the opposition views it as a symbolic surrender of state autonomy. As the debate intensifies, the TVK must determine how to bridge the gap between national directives and the cultural expectations that define Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
