Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu Row: Plea Against Moving Song To Third Place During CM Vijay's Swearing-In Ceremony Withdrawn From Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has permitted the withdrawal of a plea seeking to condemn the relegation of Tamil Nadu's state song, “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu”, to third position during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister Vijay. Notably, actor and TVK head Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the State on May 10. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan permitted the withdrawal of the plea and gave liberty to the petitioner to challenge the Central Government circular regarding events attended by the Governor of the State. The controversy concerns the events that took place during the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on May 10, 2026. During the ceremony, Vande Mataram was played first, followed by “Jana Gana Mana” and then “Tamil Thai Vaazhthu”. Many parties, including the DMK opposition, condemned placing the State song at third position and criticised the ruling government. The ruling party, however, explained that the sequence was due to the Union Government circular with respect to the protocol to be followed in events attended by the Governor. The plea, filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, states that the song, which is officially recognised as the State song, occupies immense historical, cultural and linguistic significance amongst the people of Tamil Nadu. It further states that the ceremonial recognition given to Tamil Thai Vaazthu represents coexistence between national unity and regional cultural dignity, both of which form integral features of the Constitution. The petitioner stated that by placing the song on third position during the CM's swearing-in ceremony, deep anguish and concern were created in the minds of the people who perceived the same as unwarranted dilution and subordination of the ceremonial dignity traditionally accorded to the State Song. The petitioner pointed out that the circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, only speaks about the inter se order in which the National Song and the National Anthem should be played when both are rendered together. The petitioner argued that as per the long-standing custom in Tamil Nadu, government functions and public ceremonies commenced with Tamil Thaai Vaazthu and the National Anthem was played at the end of the ceremony. The petitioner argued that if deviations are permitted, there was a serious likelihood that the ceremonial status accorded to the state song would be diluted, ultimately reduced to a symbolic formality. Such gradual erosion, the petitioner stated, would not merely affect the protocol but would deeply wound the cultural sentiments and emotional attachment of millions of Tamil-speaking people who regard the song as an inseparable part of their heritage and identity. The petitioner had thus sought directions to the central and State government to condemn the relegation of the state song to third position during the CM's swearing-in ceremony despite absence of any express constitutional, statutory or executive prohibition against commencing state functions with state song. Counsel for Petitioner: Ms.S.OveyaCounsel for Respondents: Mr.A.Kumaraguru, Senior Panel Counsel, Mr.Mohammed Fayaz Ali, Government PleaderCase Title: Ananya Radhakrisnan v The Union Home Minister and Others Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 244 Case No: WP 21066 of 2026Click Here To Read/Download The Judgment

Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu Row: Plea Against Moving Song To Third Place During CM Vijay's Swearing-In Ceremony Withdrawn From Madras High Court

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Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu Row: Plea Against Moving Song To Third Place During CM Vijay's Swearing-In Ceremony Withdrawn From Madras High Court

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