Vijay Cites 2021 Assembly Event to Counter Opposition on National Anthem Dispute

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday turned the tables on opposition parties by recalling a 2021 Assembly centenary function where the National Anthem was sung twice and the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu followed it. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on June 23, 2026, Vijay addressed the row over the rendition of the National Anthem during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's address to the House on June 18. Critics had objected to the anthem being played twice — at the start and end of the event — and after the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu. Vijay dismissed their claims by pointing to the August 2, 2021 celebration of the Assembly's centenary and the unveiling of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's portrait. That event, presided over by the then President of India, began with the National Anthem followed by the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu. The Chief Minister noted that the National Anthem was played twice on that occasion as well. He questioned why opposition members, who now style themselves as defenders of state rights, had not objected then. Vijay also displayed the souvenir from the 2021 function as evidence. He said the state government has clearly communicated its position to the Union government and there has been no policy shift. The Tamil Thaai Vazhthu has been a longstanding practice at government and school functions in Tamil Nadu, he added. The Chief Minister accused the opposition of saying one thing and doing another, noting their silence when the President was present. The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions over state symbols and legislative traditions in Tamil Nadu.

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📰 Source: The Hindu National