Vande Mataram Row In TN: Vijay’s Minister Boycotts Varsity Event After State Song Sung Third On Guv’s Order

Published 28 July 2026 · politics

Vande Mataram Row In TN: Vijay’s Minister Boycotts Varsity Event After State Song Sung Third On Guv’s Order Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Vande Mataram Row In TN: Vijay’s Minister Boycotts Varsity Event After State Song Sung Third On Guv’s Order Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 13:50 IST TN Govt Vs Governor Again: Tamil Thai Vazhthu played third at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University; edu minister boycotts event; V-C says followed Guv's orders Rapid Read Tamil Nadu CM VIjay; Governor Rajendra Arlekar. (File) The playing of the Tamil state song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the third place after Vande Mataram and the national anthem has triggered a major political row and a ministerial boycott. The incident was reported at the 33rd convocation ceremony at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University on July 28. It may mark the first clash between Governor Rajendra Arlekar and CM Vijay’s team, even though the two did see some unease over the delay in formation of the TVK-led government. At the event, ‘Vande Mataram’ was played first, followed by ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’. University Vice-Chancellor N. Chandrasekar stated that the order was enforced following strict guidelines and circulars from the Governor’s Office/Lok Bhavan. Expressing deep anger over the demotion of the state invocation song, Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan, alongside local MLAs, boycotted the official event.

Left parties (CPI/CPI(M)) and the PMK also strongly condemned the move. STRONG POLITICAL REACTIONS P. Viswanathan wrote on “Opposition to the Vice-Chancellor’s announcement that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu will be sung in third place at the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University convocation ceremony! Based on the firm stance that due respect must be upheld for the Tamil language and Tamil cultural heritage, the Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education of Tamil Nadu has boycotted today’s convocation ceremony…" மனோன்மணியம் சுந்தரனார் பல்கலைக்கழக பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவில், தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்து மூன்றாவது இடத்தில் பாடப்படும் என்ற துணைவேந்தர் அறிவிப்புக்கு எதிர்ப்பு! தமிழ்மொழிக்கும், தமிழர் பண்பாட்டுக்கும் உரிய மரியாதை நிலைநிறுத்தப்பட வேண்டும் என்ற உறுதியான நிலைப்பாட்டின் அடிப்படையில்,… — Viswanathan Perumal (@Viswanathan_INC) July 28, 2026 Tamil Nadu Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar said, “The Tamil Nadu government won’t allow Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu to be sung after Vande Mataram." Manickam Tagore said, “The Governor’s trend of disrespecting the Tamil mother and hurting the sentiments of Tamils continues without due respect! In the land of Manu Needhi Cholan, to a Governor who disregards Tamil traditions, the honorable Minister @Viswanathan_INC MP @AdvBruce and people’s representatives have rightly delivered a sharp rebuke by boycotting the Manonmaniyam Sundaranar University event. The Governor must immediately correct his disrespectful conduct!" BJP’s Narayanan Thirupathy wrote on WHY THE ROW For nearly a century, official and public functions in Tamil Nadu have strictly accorded primary precedence to the Tamil state song (“Tamil Thai Vazhthu") out of linguistic and regional pride.