Ramadoss flays IIT-M for skipping Tamil Anthem

“In the invitation for Diamond Jubilee function of IIT, Madras, it is mentioned that the function will start with Vande Mataram instead of Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The management of IIT, Madras, had planned to disrespect Tamil Anthem and the activity of the management is condemnable,” said Ramadoss, in a statement.

He also said that as IIT, Madras, is completing 60 years the management planned to celebrate Diamond Jubilee function on Wednesday evening and in the programme schedule listed in the invitation it was mentioned that the programme will start with Vande Mataram for three minutes and will end with National Anthem.

“There is no mention of Tamil Anthem in the invitation which shows that Tamil Anthem had been deliberately left out. There is also a rule in the state that any function conducted in government institutions in the state should commence with Tamil Anthem but the rules had been flouted,” said Ramadoss.

He further said that this is not the first time that IIT, Madras, had insulted Tamil Anthem.

“In a function held on February 26, this year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari participated and in that function too Tamil Anthem was not sung and instead a Sanskrit song on Lord Ganapathi was sung. The incident too was condemned by the Opposition parties at that time but the IIT is repeatedly doing this,” said Ramadoss.