The Madras High Court has clarified that there is no bar on singing Tamil Nadu’s state anthem, Tamil Thai Vazhthu, at the start of official government functions, noting that central guidelines do not mandate relegating the state anthem to a later spot.
The ruling came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, who challenged a Union Home Ministry circular over concerns that it displaced the state’s traditional protocol.
Key Highlights:
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Central Clarification: Counsel representing the Union Government referenced a July 9 notification, explaining that while it directs Vande Mataram and the National Anthem to be sung consecutively, it contains no restrictions against playing state anthems first.
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Judicial Observation: A bench led by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan observed that the Madras High Court itself followed this exact protocol on Independence Day—opening with Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.
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Protocol Friction: The order of performance has been a point of ongoing political sensitivity in Tamil Nadu. Tensions previously surfaced during assembly sessions, university convocations, and official swearing-in ceremonies involving central and state protocol differences.
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State Resolution: The Tamil Nadu Assembly recently passed a resolution reaffirming that government, educational, and public sector events should begin with Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The court has reserved its final orders on the petition.
