Plea seeks to restore Tamil anthem's place at events; Madras HC issues notice on Centre's controversial circular

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to file their responses to a petition challenging the placement of Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu after Vande Mataram and the National Anthem during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister.

When the matter came up before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, the Bench issued notice to the respondents and adjourned the matter by eight weeks.

The petition, filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, contended that placing Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu in the third position during the ceremony caused deep anguish among the people and amounted to an unwarranted dilution of the ceremonial dignity traditionally accorded to the State Song.

According to the petitioner, the Ministry of Home Affairs' January 28 circular titled "Orders Relating to the National Song of India" does not impose any constitutional, statutory or executive prohibition against commencing official State functions with an officially recognised State Song. The plea stated that the circular merely regulates the order between the National Song and the National Anthem when both are rendered together and is silent on State Songs, including Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu.

The plea sought to quash the January 28 circular and direct the authorities to issue appropriate protocol guidelines ensuring that Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu is rendered at the commencement of official State functions and constitutional ceremonies, and is not relegated to a position subsequent to Vande Mataram or the National Anthem in the absence of any express constitutional, statutory or binding executive mandate.