Row Erupts After Tamil Thaai Vaazthu Pushed to 3rd Place at Tirunelveli Varsity
Under instructions from the Governor's office, the ceremony began with 'Vande Mataram' first, followed by the National Anthem ('Jana Gana Mana'), while 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' was sung finally, during the inauguration, the university sources said
Tirunelveli: A fresh controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday over the state anthem, 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu', being relegated to third position at the convocation ceremony of State-run Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in the district, attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. State Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan boycotted the event over the issue.
Under instructions from the Governor's office, the ceremony began with 'Vande Mataram' first, followed by the National Anthem ('Jana Gana Mana'), while 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' was sung finally, during the inauguration, the university sources said.
However, the minister along with two local MLAs boycotted the convocation ceremony in protest against the "disrespect" shown to the state song.
Strongly condemning the imposition of revised song protocols in educational institutions, Tamil Nadu Minister for Electricity and Energy Resources C T R Nirmal Kumar stated that state government events will strictly prioritise the state anthem, 'Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu' and called for an end to unnecessary political controversy.
"In Tamil Nadu, absolute priority must be given to 'Thamizh Thai Vaazhthu', he said adding, "it is the established practice in all state government functions to sing the state anthem first."
"While Raj Bhavan may follow its internal advisories, extending these practices into educational institutions is completely unacceptable and strongly condemnable", the minister added.
Noting that the Governor's office must immediately avoid and prevent such provocative actions, Nirmal Kumar said the state government will explore all legal avenues to ensure that 'Tamizh Thai Vazhthu' retains its rightful primary status across educational campuses and state events in Tamil Nadu.
Even before the convocation, CPI(M) and the PMK united in condemnation, alleging an imposition that violates state autonomy and constitutional rights.
Seeking to know why 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' (invocation to Mother Tamil) was relegated to the third position at the very varsity named after Manonmaniam Sundaranar, who penned the anthem, CPI-M State Secretary P Shanmugam and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said due priority should be accorded to it and demanded that its tradition and dignity be safeguarded during such ceremonies.
DMK leader Kanimozhi, on her social media platform, claimed, "For the first time in a Tamil Nadu university, the convocation ceremony has begun with 'Vande Mataram', pushing the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu to the third place".
Recently, University Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar has said, following clear and strict guidelines issued by the Governor's Office, the national song 'Vande Mataram' will be rendered first, followed by the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana', while the state anthem 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' will only be sung third.
The Madurai Kamaraj University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Mother Teresa, Alagappa, Tamil Nadu Teachers' Education and Anna University Teachers' Association (MUTA) has strongly condemned singing the 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' in the end.
A T Senthamaraikannan, general secretary of MUTA, termed the decision as a "blatant attack" on Tamil linguistic pride and regional independence. The move threatens state sovereignty and insults Tamil heritage, he added.