Heated debate in Assembly over rendition of National Anthem twice during Governor’s address

A heated debate unfolded in the Assembly on Friday between DMK MLA S.S. Sivasankar and the treasury benches over the rendition of the National Anthem twice during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s customary address to the House on June 18.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address, Mr. Sivasankar said Tamil Thai Vaazhthu (Invocation of Mother Tamil) is traditionally rendered first and the National Anthem at the end, even in schools. However, the National Anthem was played twice during the Governor’s address to the House.

He said the Governor had expressed happiness, calling his address to the House a historic event, and hailed the rendition of the National Anthem both at the beginning and conclusion of the Governor's Address in the House. The Speaker had also thanked the Governor.

Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar intervened and urged him not to make any undesirable comments on it.

Leader of the House and Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan said there is nothing wrong in rendering the National Anthem twice, as it is accepted by 140 crore Indians.

The Speaker said an amicable solution had been found. He also said there is nothing wrong in maintaining cordial relations with the Governor. He said the policy is “Uravukku Kai Kodupom, Urimaikku Kural Koduppom [We will extend our hand for friendship, but raise our voice for our rights.]”

Drawing an analogy that if a small leak in a dam is ignored, it could later become a major problem, Mr. Sivasankar said, likewise, if language rights are not upheld, they could eventually come under threat.

Intervening, Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna said the government stands firm on the principles of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai on State autonomy and rights.

He recalled during the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung in accordance with the new guidelines of the Union Home Ministry, and the then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin gave due respect to it.

He said the TVK leaders had pressed for the rendition of Tamil Thai Vaazhthu at the beginning of the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony. However, since the event was conducted under the authority of the Governor, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung first. The government stands firm that in its official functions, only Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu will be rendered first.

Meanwhile, DMK whip E.V. Velu said while the Governor has authority over events held at Lok Bhavan or any other place under his authority, and the Chief Justice has authority over court-related events, in the Legislative Assembly the Speaker alone has complete authority.

“The programme schedule distributed to the members said Tamil Thai Vaazhthu would be sung first and the National Anthem at the end. In such a case, why was the National Anthem sung twice?” he questioned.

Mr. Sivasankar also claimed, in the Governor’s address, many of the measures initiated by the DMK government were highlighted by changing just a few words, while it did not contain any major announcements expected by the people.

Mr. Sengottaiyan, however, said the new announcements will be made in the Budget.