News Tamil Nadu

Here’s What Official Documents Say About Playing Of National Anthem In TN Assembly

January 7, 2025
The Commune

The ruling DMK government is under heavy criticism as it enters the second year in a row of political tensions with the Governor of Tamil Nadu, especially after he walked out of the Assembly for not playing the National Anthem, even though it is a legal requirement under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). While the Dravidianist media continues to echo the ruling party’s narrative, political leaders across the state have sharply criticized the government’s actions.

They accuse the DMK of blatant hypocrisy, pointing out that while it boasts itself as the guardian of the constitution and the law, it fails to uphold these very principles. The latest controversy stems from the Governor walking out of the Assembly after the mandated National Anthem was not played at the beginning and end of the session. Critics argue that the DMK’s ongoing political game with the Governor undermines the rule of law and constitutional decorum, exposing their double standards.

While the Dravidianist media focuses on the narrative of the Governor walking out, the Chief Minister’s social media post criticism, and statements from DMK leaders, another crucial reality is being willfully ignored by these outlets. Playing the National Anthem at the beginning and end of an Assembly session is not a mere formality, but a legal requirement under the SOP related to the National Anthem. This important detail is conveniently overlooked in the media’s coverage of the ongoing controversy.

The official orders regarding the National Anthem of India states, “The National Anthem is to be played or sung on various occasions. Instructions have been issued over time about the correct versions of the Anthem, the occasions on which it should be played or sung, and the importance of showing respect through proper decorum during such instances.” Specifically, it is mandatory for the National Anthem to be played “on the arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal state functions within his State/Union Territory, and upon his departure from such functions.” These instructions underline the formal and legal obligation to play the Anthem at designated times, a requirement that cannot be overlooked.

In this context, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has strongly criticized the DMK for playing politics with the National Anthem and the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Taking to his official X account, he called out the hypocrisy of the ruling DMK government, Annamalai pointed out that Tamil Thai Vazhthu was never recited before the Governor’s Address in Tamil Nadu’s State Assembly till 1991. 

From the Assembly records, of July 1991 show that when Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Tamizh Thai Vazthu and the National Anthem were played at the commencement and the end of the Governor’s address respectively, for the first time.

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