Chennai: The TVK Government in Tamil Nadu on Monday passed a resolution making it compulsory to render the Tamil state anthem ‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu’ at the start
of every government function in the state. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has said that he would not compromise on the linguistic as well as cultural rights of the state. Describing Tamil as more than a language, the chief minister called the language an integral part of the identity and emotions of the people.
Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions: CM Vijay
“Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions,” Vijay said in an emotive speech and stressed that the “mother tongue is as pure as one’s mother.” “Singing the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is not against the political system or India’s unity. On the contrary, it reflects the nation’s high principle of unity in diversity. There’s no need to make this demand of singing the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu first into a political debate,” he said as per news agency.
He added, “ Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions. Singing the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is not against the political system or India’s unity. On the contrary, it reflects the nation’s high principle of unity in diversity.”
CM Vijay writes letter to PM
The chief minister further said that he had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his letter, the CM made it clear that the TVK government would not compromise on the dignity of the Tamil anthem.
The resolution passed in the state Assembly ensured that the Tamil anthem is sung before the start of programmes at educational institutions, government offices, and other public events in the state. The song was taken from Manonmaniam Sundaranar’s 1891 play Manonmaniam. It was officially recognised as the state song on December 12, 2021.
