The Madras High Court has clarified that there is no restriction on singing Tamil Nadu’s state song, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, before Vande Mataram and the National Anthem at government functions in the State.

The clarification came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Chennai-based Ananya Radhakrishnan, seeking directions to ensure that government functions in Tamil Nadu commence with Tamil Thai Vazhthu.

The petitioner argued that it has been a longstanding practice in the State to begin official functions with Tamil Thai Vazhthu and conclude them with the National Anthem. She also sought the quashing of a January 28 Union Home Ministry circular, which, according to her, required government functions to begin with Vande Mataram.

Representing the Centre, counsel drew the court’s attention to a subsequent notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on July 9. The Centre clarified that the notification requires Vande Mataram and the National Anthem to be sung consecutively, with Vande Mataram preceding the National Anthem.

However, the Centre also submitted that the notification contains no direction concerning state anthems and does not require Tamil Thai Vazhthu to be sung after the National Anthem.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan observed that the sequence was consistent with the practice followed by the Madras High Court itself during Independence Day celebrations, where Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung first, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.

The issue has remained politically sensitive in Tamil Nadu, where Tamil Thai Vazhthu has traditionally opened government functions. The controversy intensified during the tenure of former Governor RN Ravi, who had insisted that the National Anthem be played before his customary address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The then DMK government opposed the demand.

The issue resurfaced during the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, where Vande Mataram was sung first, followed by the National Anthem, while Tamil Thai Vazhthu was played third. The State government subsequently said that the Tamil anthem would be given the first position at government functions.

Similar disagreements later emerged at university convocations attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, where Vande Mataram and the National Anthem were played before Tamil Thai Vazhthu. State Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan boycotted two such events, including the convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, named after the poet who authored the Tamil invocation.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has also recently adopted a resolution seeking to make Tamil Thai Vazhthu the first song at government, educational and public-sector functions.

After hearing the submissions, the Madras High Court reserved its order on the petition.