TVK's state song resolution sails through with DMK, AIADMK support; Tamil Nadu CM Vijay says 'mother tongue is life'

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution mandating the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at the beginning of government events and programmes across the state, with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay asserting that there would be no compromise on Tamil Nadu's linguistic and cultural rights.

Moving the resolution in the Assembly, Vijay said Tamil was not merely a language but also a part of the life and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu. He described the mother tongue as being "as pure as our mother" and said giving Tamil the first place at official events was a matter of the state's rights.

The resolution received support from legislators across the political spectrum, including the opposition DMK and AIADMK, and was passed unanimously.

Under the resolution, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, Tamil Nadu's state song, will be rendered at the commencement of programmes held at educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions across the state.

Vijay said the move was aimed at protecting Tamil Nadu's linguistic and cultural identity and maintained that respecting the state song was not against the country's political system or national unity.

The resolution comes against the backdrop of a fresh advisory from the Union Home Affairs Ministry asking states and Union Territories to strictly comply with its January 28 directive on playing Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events.

The Tamil Nadu government has maintained that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu holds a distinct place in the state's official functions. An order issued on November 23, 1970, required the song to be sung at the beginning of official events in the state.

Tamil Thaai Vazhthu was formally recognised as Tamil Nadu's state song on December 12, 2021, after which it was made compulsory to render it first in the sequence of songs played at official functions.

DMK, AIADMK back Vijay's resolution

The resolution received broad political backing, with both the DMK and AIADMK supporting the TVK government's move.

The support from the two major Dravidian parties gave the resolution a wider political significance, particularly as Tamil language and cultural identity have historically remained central to Tamil Nadu's political discourse.

Members from other parties also backed the resolution, with legislators stressing the importance of preserving the state's linguistic heritage and ensuring that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is given due prominence at official programmes.

Vijay, meanwhile, reiterated that his government would not compromise on Tamil Nadu's linguistic and cultural rights and described Tamil as a source of identity, emotion and pride for the people of the state.

The unanimous passage of the resolution marks a significant assertion of Tamil Nadu's position on the place of its state song at official events and comes amid renewed discussions over the rendition of national and state songs at government functions.