Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution Mandating Tamil Thai Vazhthu at Government Functions

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay moved a special resolution in the State Legislative Assembly on Monday, August 10, 2026, seeking to make the rendition of the state invocation song, Tamil Thai Vazhthu, mandatory at the beginning of all government functions. The resolution aims to establish a uniform protocol for ceremonial songs at state-run institutions, including educational bodies, government offices, and public sector undertakings.

The move comes amid a political controversy over the sequence in which ceremonial songs are played at official events attended by the Governor. Critics have objected to instances where Vande Mataram was rendered before Tamil Thai Vazhthu, arguing it disregards longstanding state convention. The resolution is intended to remove ambiguity and formally reassert the primacy of the Tamil invocation.

During the Assembly proceedings, Chief Minister Vijay stated that the Tamil language is deeply connected to the state's cultural identity. The resolution seeks to reinforce a practice established by a Tamil Nadu government order on November 23, 1970, which directed that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung at the start of official functions. The song was...