The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a special resolution calling for “Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu”, the Tamil invocation song, to be sung first at government functions. The song was written by poet and scholar Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai and was taken from his 1891 play ‘Manonmaniam’. The resolution stated that the song must be sung first at government functions from November 23, 1970.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay moved the resolution in the Assembly. The Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) supported it. The resolution also received support from other parties in the House. After hearing the views of lawmakers, Speaker JCD Prabhakar announced that the resolution had been passed unanimously.

Vijay said the song represents the language, culture and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu. “Tamil is not just a language, but also our life and emotions. The Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, upholds the diversity of entire India, and must hold the primary place here in our Tamil Nadu. The Constitution of India itself grants every state the right to protect its language and culture. On the basis of that right, shouldn’t the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu be given its rightful place?” Vijay said in his address.

The Chief Minister said Tamil Thaai Vaazthu carries the pride and identity of Tamil Nadu. He pointed out that the government had issued an order requiring the song to be sung first at government functions from November 23, 1970. He said the order was later implemented across the state.

Vijay also noted that the song was officially recognised as the state song on December 17, 2021. He said government orders already require Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu to be sung at events held in educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and public organisations. The latest resolution seeks to reinforce this practice and make the requirement clear across such institutions and events.

The Chief Minister said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after his government took office in May. In the letter, he sought appropriate recognition for the state song and procedures to ensure that Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu is sung first at state functions.

Vijay also rejected any suggestion that the song goes against the Constitution or national unity. Underscoring that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu is neither against the Constitution nor against Indian unity, he said, “It expresses the noble Indian ideal of ‘Unity in Diversity.’”

He appealed to legislators to put aside political differences and support the resolution. Vijay called for Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu to be made mandatory at the beginning of events held in educational institutions, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings.

DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan seconded the resolution on behalf of his party. He recalled the role of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi in introducing the practice. Chezhiaan said Karunanidhi issued the first government order on March 11, 1970, requiring Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu to be sung in government schools, universities, government offices and public sector undertakings.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also backed the resolution. He said the practice reflects respect for the Tamil language and does not target any individual or institution. “On behalf of the AIADMK, I wholeheartedly support this special resolution of the TVK government,” Palaniswami said.

Congress, the Indian Union Muslim League and VCK also supported the resolution. VCK has a presence in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s cabinet. Their support helped the Assembly pass the resolution without opposition.

The BJP, however, questioned the need for the special resolution. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy said there was no direction from the central government asking states to sing the state song last at official events. “Nowhere has the central government or the Ministry of Home Minister’s Office mentioned that the State song should be sung last. Resolutions cannot be made based on speculations,” BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy told HT.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government introduced the resolution amid a wider debate over the order of patriotic songs at official functions. The Union Home Affairs Ministry has advised states and Union Territories to “strictly comply” with its January 28 directive. The directive calls for the National Song, Vande Mataram, to be played before the National Anthem at official events. The Tamil Nadu government’s move now puts the state song at the centre of the state’s position on the order and recognition of Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu at public functions.