A controversy over the order in which “Vande Mataram,” the National Anthem and the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu were played at Tamil Nadu government functions has now turned into an embarrassment for TVK minister Aadhav Arjuna, after his criticism of the Governor’s office appeared to ignore an already existing Union government circular mandating the protocol for events conducted under the Governor’s authority.
The issue first erupted on 10 May 2026, during the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and his cabinet, held under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar. During the event, “Vande Mataram” was played first, followed by the National Anthem and then the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu.
The sequence triggered sharp objections from sections of the opposition and the TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna publicly attacked the move on social media and portraying it as an insult to Tamil identity and state autonomy.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Aadhav Arjuna wrote, “The Tamil Thai Vaazhthu song beginning with “Neerarum Kadaludutha…” carries more than a century of historical pride. As a continuation of the ideal that this song should “spread across the world,” the Tamil Nadu government officially declared it as the State Song. Such a prestigious Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is the song that is traditionally played first at government functions and other public events held in Tamil Nadu. At the conclusion of the event, the National Anthem is played. That has been the customary practice and the appropriate practice. The new government formed in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has no difference of opinion with this established practice. However, in today’s swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister and ministers held under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, first “Vande Mataram” was played, followed by the National Anthem, and only then the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu. This new practice is not appropriate for Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, the government formed under the leadership of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam does not agree with Tamil Thai Vaazhthu being played as the third song. When we strongly conveyed our objections to the Governor’s office regarding this, we were informed that the Governor was obliged to act according to a new circular issued by the Union Government. Consequently, under unavoidable circumstances, Tamil Thai Vaazhthu was played as the third song. However, this new practice will not be followed in the future. Instead, as per the earlier practice, Tamil Thai Vaazhthu will be played at the beginning of functions, and the National Anthem will be played at the end. Not only in Tamil Nadu, but in every state across India, the respective state language invocation song must be played at the beginning of events. The Union Government should take appropriate steps in this regard. That is the collective feeling and united view of the people of Tamil Nadu. That is also our firm stand.
Truth alone shall triumph!
Long live Tamil!”
‘நீராரும் கடலுடுத்த…’ எனத் தொடங்கும் தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்துப் பாடலுக்கு நூற்றாண்டு கடந்த வரலாற்றுப் பெருமிதம் உள்ளது. இந்தப் பாடல் ‘உலகெங்கும் பரவ வேண்டும்…’ என்ற இலட்சியத்தின் தொடர்ச்சியாகவே, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு மாநிலப் பாடலாக அதை அறிவித்தது. இத்தகைய பெருமைமிக்க தமிழ்த்தாய்…
— Aadhav Arjuna (@AadhavArjuna) May 10, 2026
After declaring that the practice would not be continued, the same sequence of songs was repeated again during swearing-in functions on May 21 and May 22, following which Aadhav Arjuna issued what many viewed as a damage-control clarification while speaking to the media.
In his clarification, he admitted that the Governor had repeatedly informed the state government that he was merely following the Union Home Ministry circular.
Speaking to reporters, Aadhav Arjuna said, “The leader Kanimozhi madam posted a tweet yesterday. We have always maintained respect for her. She had spoken about the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. We had already given an explanation regarding this earlier.”
He further stated, “In that latest circular, it has been said that all over India ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung first, and that circular has come to the Governor.”
Aadhav Arjuna also revealed that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had personally urged the Governor during the swearing-in ceremony to place Tamil Thai Vaazhthu first because “Tamil always gets priority” for TVK.
According to him, the Governor refused to deviate from the Home Ministry protocol and insisted that events conducted under Raj Bhavan authority would continue to follow the circular.
Aadhav Arjuna further acknowledged that the same practice had earlier been followed during judicial swearing-in ceremonies even under the previous DMK government led by MK Stalin.
He stated, “Even earlier, when Thiru M. K. Stalin, the DMK leader, was the then Chief Minister and was holding office, during the swearing-in of judges at the Madras High Court, this same practice was followed by the Governor.”
Despite admitting the existence of the circular and its earlier implementation, Aadhav Arjuna continued to frame the issue as one concerning “state autonomy” and said TVK was consulting legal experts on whether the circular could be challenged in court.
He further declared, “At no time, under any circumstances, will we give up Tamil or the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. That is our lifeline.”
The episode exposed Aadhav Arjuna’s lack of awareness about established Raj Bhavan protocol and accused him of turning an already existing administrative procedure into a manufactured political controversy before later backtracking through a clarification.
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