The Madras High Court has confirmed that there are no restrictions on singing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, the Tamil anthem, at government functions in Tamil Nadu. This clarification comes in response to a recent circular from the Union Home Ministry, which the court stated does not demote the state song’s prominence at official events.
The clarification came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Chennai-based Ananya Radhakrishnan, who sought directions to ensure that government functions in Tamil Nadu begin with Tamil Thai Vazhthu. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan pointed out that this was precisely the sequence followed at the Madras High Court on Independence Day – Tamil Thai Vazhthu first, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem. After hearing the submissions, the High Court reserved its orders on the petition.
The Centre also informed the court that the notification says nothing about state anthems and does not stipulate that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be sung last.
