CHENNAI — Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram on Friday criticized the Tamil Nadu governor's office for placing the Tamil invocation song Thamizh Thai Valthu third at the swearing-in ceremony of the new state government in Chennai. The song was played after Vande Mataram and the national anthem at the event presided over by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

"In Tamil Nadu, we are very clear that Thamizh Thai Valthu must get the precedence over any song in any official function. The new government took charge only yesterday, so they might not have been very aware of the protocols that have to be followed in Tamil Nadu. But this has been done by the governor's office, citing some directive," Chidambaram said.

Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna said in a post on X that the Tamil invocation song was pushed to third place at Chief Minister Vijay's swearing-in ceremony because of a new circular from the Union government. He recognized the song as the state anthem and said the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government disagrees with the practice of the song being played third and supports the usual practice of playing it first.

"In such a context, at today's swearing-in ceremony for the Chief Minister and ministers, presided over by Tamil Nadu Governor Mr. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, first Vande Mataram was played, then the national anthem, and thirdly the Tamil invocation song," he said. "This new practice is inappropriate for Tamil Nadu."

He said that when the governor's side was pressed on the matter, it was conveyed that the governor must act according to the new circular from the Union government, and that the song was played third in an unavoidable situation. "However, in future times, this new practice will not be followed. Instead, as per the earlier practice, the Tamil invocation song will be played at the beginning of the event, and the national anthem at the end!" he said.

He also said the state language invocation song must be played at the beginning of events in all states of India and called on the Union government to take appropriate actions.

Tamil Nadu CPI Secretary M Veerapandiyan issued a letter taking exception to the song being pushed to third place at the swearing-in ceremony, calling it a violation of established convention. He asked the newly formed TVK government to respond and urged the Chief Minister and the Pro-tem Speaker to ensure that Thamizhthai Vaazhthu is sung first at the first session of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly scheduled for the following day.