The Madras High Court has clarified that there is no restriction on singing Tamil Thai Vazhthu first at government functions in Tamil Nadu, even under the Union government’s latest advisory.
The observation came while hearing a public interest petition filed by Chennai resident Ananya Radhakrishnan, who sought directions to officials to ensure that government events in the state begin with Tamil Thai Vazhthu.
Before the bench of Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, the Union government submitted that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ July 9 notification requires Vande Mataram and the National Anthem to be sung consecutively, with Vande Mataram first. It added that the advisory does not mention any state song, nor does it say the state song must be sung only at the end.
The judges noted that the advisory does not stop Tamil Thai Vazhthu from being sung first, and that Vande Mataram should follow, with the National Anthem last. They cited the Independence Day programme at the Madras High Court, where Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung first, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.
The court has reserved its order on the petition.
