CM writes to PM Modi seeking clarity to let Tamil Thai Vazhthu open state events again

Press Release Letter given today (27.05.2026) by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Thiru Narendra Modi, requesting a suitable clarification to the Ministry of Home Affairs' order so that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and other State invocation songs are sung at the commencement of state government functions. In a letter handed over today (27.5.2026) to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Thiru Narendra Modi, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, stated that he wished to draw kind attention to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' Order No.14/2/2025-Public, dated 28.01.2026, concerning the singing of the National Song at certain government functions. The Hon'ble Chief Minister stated that the Government and people of Tamil Nadu have always accorded the highest respect to the National Anthem and National Song, that Tamil Nadu continues to accord due dignity and esteem to all national symbols, and that it remains ever committed to the unity, integrity and constitutional values of India. He further stated that he wished to draw attention to the continued singing of the 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' at government functions in Tamil Nadu; that the 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', composed in 1891 by Manonmaniam P. Sundaram Pillai, is an invocation song honouring the Tamil language, culture and heritage; and that it has traditionally been sung at the commencement of government, educational, cultural and public functions held across Tamil Nadu for several decades. He stated that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu song has been declared the State Song of Tamil Nadu and that the Tamil Nadu Government has formally directed that it be sung at the beginning of functions held at government offices, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings, and public organisations in the state. Following the aforesaid Ministry of Home Affairs order, Lok Bhavan (Chief Minister's residence-office) has adopted the sequence of Vande Mataram, National Anthem, and thereafter Tamil Thai Vazhthu; since this sequence, in which Tamil Thai Vazhthu is sung after the National Anthem, departs from the practice long followed by the state government, it has caused great anguish and opposition among the public from various sections in Tamil Nadu, the Hon'ble Chief Minister stated in his letter. He stated that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, which stands as a symbol of Tamil linguistic heritage, cultural identity, and the collective sentiments of the people, holds a unique place in Tamil Nadu as the state invocation song; that following the aforesaid Ministry of Home Affairs order, this practice has been altered in certain specific government functions; and that while the Ministry of Home Affairs order does not bar the singing of the state invocation song at the beginning of functions, it has been observed that in recent functions at Lok Bhavan the Tamil Thai Vazhthu has been sung at the end of proceedings. In this context, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in his personal letter to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, requested that necessary action be taken to issue a suitable clarification to the Ministry of Home Affairs' order dated 28.01.2026 so that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and other state invocation songs are sung at the commencement of state government functions; he stated that such a clarification would bring the Ministry of Home Affairs' order in line with the practice followed in Tamil Nadu, avoid administrative confusion, and duly honour the cultural sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, and requested that this matter be attended to promptly and with due consideration. The Text of the letter addressed to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Thiru Narendra Modi, from the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, regarding Tamil Thai Vazhthu: I invite your kind attention to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Order No.14/2/2025-Public, dated 28.01.2026 relating to the observance of the National Song, Vande Mataram, during official functions and ceremonial occasions. At the outset, I wish to affirm that the Government and people of Tamil Nadu hold the National Anthem and the National Song in the highest esteem. Tamil Nadu has consistently upheld the dignity and decorum associated with all national symbols and remains deeply committed to the unity, integrity and constitutional values of India. I would also like to bring to your kind notice the long-established position of Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the public life of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Thai Vazhthu, written by Manonmaniam P. Sundaram Pillai in 1891, is an invocation to the Tamil language, culture and heritage. For several decades, it has traditionally been rendered at the commencement of Government, educational, cultural and public functions across Tamil Nadu. This practice has also been formally recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu by declaring Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the State Song of Tamil Nadu and prescribing that it shall be sung at the beginning of functions in Government offices, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings and public organisations in the State. Following the issuance of the above Ministry of Home Affairs order, Lok Bhavan has adopted the sequence of Vande Mataram, National Anthem and thereafter Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The placement of Tamil Thai Vazhthu subsequent to the National Anthem has led to widespread public concern and opposition from various sections of society in Tamil Nadu, as it departs from the long-standing and officially recognised practice followed in the State. It is submitted that Tamil Thai Vazhthu occupies a unique position in Tamil Nadu as the State invocation song symbolising the linguistic heritage, cultural identity and collective sentiments of the people of the State. Traditionally, it has always occupied the opening position in official functions as a mark of respect, pride and glory to the Tamil language and culture. This practice has been changed in certain functions after the communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs letter does not bar the singing of the State Song at the beginning of functions; however, it is observed that in recent functions held at Lok Bhavan, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung at the end. In this background, I request your kind intervention for issuance of a suitable clarification/modification to the Ministry of Home Affairs Order No.14/2/2025-Public, dated 28.01.2026, enabling State Invocation Songs, including Tamil Thai Vazhthu, to be sung at the commencement of Government functions. Such a clarification would harmonise the Home Ministry's order with the established practice prevailing in Tamil Nadu and avoid administrative ambiguity, while duly respecting the cultural sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu. I request your kind and early intervention in this matter. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9