TN CM Vijay cites assembly centenary event in 2021 to face opposition over national anthem row

CM C. Joseph Vijay addresses a rally on Tuesday | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) told the Legislative Assembly that the Tamil thaai vazhthu (invocation of Mother Tamil) was sung in the House after the national anthem during the assembly’s centenary celebrations in 2021 and that the national anthem was played twice at the beginning and end of the function.

Referring to the controversy over the rendition of the National Anthem in the Assembly twice — once at the beginning and again at the end — during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s address to the House on June 18, Mr. Vijay said it was a long-standing practice in Tamil Nadu that government and school functions began with Tamil Thaai Vazhthu.

“The Tamil Nadu government has clearly communicated its stand to the Union government. There has been no change in the state government’s policy,” he said. However, the opposition parties claimed that it was wrong to move the national anthem after the Tamil Thaai Vazhtha during the Governor’s speech and it was also wrong that the national anthem was sung twice.

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“They claimed that such an event had never happened before in this assembly and that the established convention had been altered. To those who portray themselves as champions of states’ rights and defenders of legislative traditions, I have only one question: do you remember what happened in the House on August 2, 2021?” he asked.

Mr. Vijay said that during the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the unveiling of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s portrait in the House, an event presided over by the then President of India, it was announced that the program would begin with the “National Anthem followed by Tamil Thaai Vazhthu”.

“Remember when it was announced that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu would be sung after the National Anthem at the very assembly where Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) who is hailed as Muthamizh Arignar was honored with the unveiling of his portrait? Wasn’t Tamil relegated then?” he asked.

He further said that the National Anthem was played twice during the event. The Chief Minister also displayed a souvenir released during the function. “If these questions are raised, they will say it was an event attended by the president. Their approach is to say one thing and do another,” he said.

Published – 23 Jun 2026 17:08 IST