Chennai: Even as Union home ministry on Thursday directed all states and Union territories to ensure that Vande Mataram is sung or played before the national anthem at govt functions, Tamil Nadu govt on Saturday said it would continue with its existing practice of rendering Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu first at official events.In a communication to chief secretaries, MHA joint secretary Arvind Khare said Vande Mataram should be sung or played first, followed by the national anthem, and asked states and Union territories to comply with the protocol at official events. In Madurai, electricity minister R Nirmalkumar said Tamil Nadu would not deviate from its established practice. “We will continue to render Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu first. There will be no compromise on it,” he said. Defending the govt’s stand, he pointed out that West Bengal’s state anthem was rendered first during that state’s swearing-in ceremony.CPI state secretary M Veerapandian opposed the Centre’s directive, saying Union govt should not impose Vande Mataram on states. “The issue should be discussed in Parliament to arrive at a consensus,” he said. CPM MP Su Venkatesan said the directive was against the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. He alleged that it was an attempt to uphold a particular religion and move the country towards becoming a Hindu rashtra. “This amounts to sowing the seeds of hatred,” he said.BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, however, said both the national anthem and Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu should be given equal importance at govt events.The ministry’s latest directive assumes significance in Tamil Nadu, where the protocol for rendering Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, Vande Mataram and the national anthem has remained a political flashpoint since TVK govt assumed office in May. At chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony on May 10, Vande Mataram was followed by the national anthem, with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu rendered later, drawing criticism from opposition parties.
