- CM Vijay makes Tamil Thai Vazhthu mandatory at state functions.
- Resolution passed with support from DMK and AIADMK.
- Emphasises Tamil linguistic, cultural rights and identity.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday introduced a resolution in the Assembly making it mandatory to sing the state song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the beginning of government functions across the state.
Introducing the resolution in the Assembly, Vijay said his Tamilga Vetti Kazhagam (TVK) government would not compromise on Tamil Nadu's linguistic and cultural rights. He appealed to legislators to set aside political differences to support the move.
‘Mother Tongue Is As Sacred As Our Mother’: Vijay
"Our mother tongue is as sacred as our mother," Vijay said in an emotional speech. He added, "Tamil is not just a language, but also our life and our emotions. Tamil means pride, Tamil means strength." He added, "The moment you say Tamil, the whole of Tamil Nadu stands united."
He further said, "Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be given the first place in Tamil Nadu. It is our state's right to give the first place to Tamil Thai Vazhthu." Appealing to members of all parties to support the resolution, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, "There should be no political debate on whether Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be sung first."
DMK, AIADMK Extend Support
Under this proposal, Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung first at events organised by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions in Tamil Nadu. The proposal received support from legislators from both the DMK and AIADMK parties. Members supported the government's move to make it mandatory to sing the state song at government events.
The move comes amid a recent advisory from the Union Home Ministry, which asked states and union territories to adhere to its January 28 directive to play ‘Vande Mataram’ before the national anthem at government functions. The move also comes in the backdrop of the Home Ministry's July 9 directive regarding the singing of state songs at government functions.
What Does The Proposal Say?
The resolution described Tamil Thai Vazhthu as a symbol of respect for the Tamil language and culture and linked its compulsory singing to the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
The resolution said, "This House (Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly) emphasizes that Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a symbol of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture. Under the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India and with the aim of preserving the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passes a resolution that the singing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu shall be made mandatory at the beginning of all programmes organised in all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in Tamil Nadu."
The resolution also states that Tamil is one of the world's oldest classical languages and that Tamil civilization is one of the world's oldest cultural traditions. Tamil Nadu first mandated the singing of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the beginning of government functions through a government order issued on November 23, 1970.
The state government formally granted the song the status of the state song on December 12, 2021, making it mandatory for government functions and institutions across the state. Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a hymn to Mother Tamil (the goddess of the Tamil language), taken from the 1891 play Manonmaniyam Sundaranar.