Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday moved a government resolution in the state Assembly to make the singing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state song, mandatory at the beginning of official programmes across Tamil Nadu.
While moving the resolution, Vijay said his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government would not compromise on Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural rights. He also urged legislators to put aside political differences and support the measure.
“Our mother tongue is as pure as our mother,” Vijay said in an emotional speech. He added, “Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions.”
“Tamil means pride, Tamil means power. The moment you say ‘Tamil’, the entire Tamil Nadu will come together and stand as one,” he said.
Vijay said Tamil Thai Vazhthu must be given the first place in Tamil Nadu, adding that giving it this status was the state’s right.
He also said making the state song the first item at official programmes should not become a political issue. He appealed to legislators from all parties to support the resolution.
Under the resolution, Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung first at programmes organised by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions across Tamil Nadu.
DMK and AIADMK support the resolution
The resolution received support from legislators of both the DMK and AIADMK. Members backed the government’s move to make the state song mandatory at official functions.
The decision comes after a recent advisory from the Union Home Ministry asking states and Union territories to follow its January 28 directive on playing Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events.
It also comes against the backdrop of a July 9 communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the singing of state songs at official programmes.
What does the resolution say?
The resolution describes Tamil Thai Vazhthu as a mark of respect for the Tamil language and culture. It links making the song mandatory to the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The resolution states that the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously resolves that Tamil Thai Vazhthu must be sung first, before programmes begin at all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in the state.
It also highlights Tamil as one of the world’s oldest classical languages and describes Tamil civilisation as one of the world’s oldest cultural traditions.
Tamil Thai Vazhthu was made the state song in 2021
Tamil Nadu first directed that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung at the beginning of official functions through a government order issued on November 23, 1970.
The state government formally gave the song the status of the state song on December 12, 2021. Its rendition was then made mandatory at official programmes and institutions across Tamil Nadu.
