Tamil Anthem Sung 1st In State Assembly Weeks After Row Over Song Order At CM Vijay's Swearing-In

Last Updated:June 18, 2026, 12:01 IST

This marked the first time in the history of the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the 90s that the National Anthem was played before the Governor's speech

Over a month after the controversy surrounding the order of songs at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, the State Assembly on Thursday began proceedings with the rendition of the Tamil anthem, ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’, concluding with the National Anthem.

This marked the first time in the history of the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the 90s that the National Anthem was played before the Governor’s speech –– a shift from the established protocol under which the Tamil state anthem is sung at the beginning of the proceedings and the National Anthem is played at the conclusion of the Governor’s address.

Controversy At Vijay’s Oath-Taking

A massive row erupted following CM Vijay’s oath-taking ceremony on May 10 over the order of songs at the event. 

The ceremony began with ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem, and then the Tamil Anthem. Typically,  government functions in Tamil Nadu begin with the ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’.

A departure from the protocol had triggered objections by the opposition parties in the state, including the allies of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) that had helped it secure the majority in the 234-member assembly.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan said the order had violated the state’s long-standing protocol, as he sought explanation from the TVK over what he described as a “lapse".

Amid mounting criticism, TVK leader and a close aide of CM Vijay, Aadhav Arjuna, issued a clarification and said that the government had opposed the altered sequence.

Describing the format as “unsuitable for Tamil Nadu", Arjuna stated that the party had raised objections with Raj Bhavan.

However, the Raj Bhavan had informed the TVK that the order was in line with a new circular issued by the Union Government, that mandated the singing or playing of the national song Vande Mataram at designated government functions.

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