Chennai: A controversy over the order of songs played during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay overshadowed his first day in office, prompting a clarification from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after criticism from opposition leaders and allies.
The row erupted after “Vande Mataram” and the National Anthem were played before “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu”, the official Tamil Nadu state invocation song, during Vijay’s oath-taking ceremony in Chennai on Sunday, according to Hindustan Times. The sequence triggered criticism from several political quarters, with leaders arguing that the state song traditionally holds precedence at official events in Tamil Nadu.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded an explanation from the new government, saying the deviation from convention hurt Tamil sentiments. CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan reportedly said “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” should have been played first at a state function.
Responding to the backlash, TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna said the party respected Tamil identity and clarified that “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” would be played first at official functions going forward, followed by the National Anthem.
The controversy came on an otherwise significant day for Vijay, who was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister after days of political uncertainty following the Assembly election results. His party, TVK, emerged as the single largest party but required post-poll support from Congress and several other parties to cross the majority mark.
