Madras High Court clarifies Tamil anthem can be sung first at state functions

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.

The petitioner argued that beginning official events with the Tamil invocation song and concluding them with the National Anthem was a long-standing practice in the state.

She also sought the quashing of a January 28 Union Home Ministry circular, claiming it required government functions to begin with Vande Mataram.

Centre says notification does not mention state anthems

Appearing for the Centre, the counsel referred to a subsequent notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on July 9.

The Centre clarified that the notification requires Vande Mataram to be sung before the National Anthem, but does not prescribe where a state song should be placed.

The counsel also told the court that the notification contains no direction requiring Tamil Thai Vazhthu to be sung last.

Court points to Independence Day sequence

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan noted that the sequence followed by the Madras High Court on Independence Day reflected this position.

At the High Court's Independence Day function, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung first, followed by Vande Mataram and then the National Anthem.