DMK Targets Vijay Govt Over Song Order at Oath Ceremony

• DMK attacks Vijay government over oath ceremony controversy
• Row erupts over order of Tamil anthem and national anthem
• ‘Murasoli’ says TVK acted under Governor’s influence
• TVK clarifies Tamil anthem will be played first at future events

GG News Bureau
Chennai, 12th May: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and his newly formed government over the order in which songs were played during his oath-taking ceremony in Chennai last week.

In an editorial published in the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli, the party criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government over the playing of ‘Vande Mataram’ before the Tamil state anthem ‘Thamizhthai Vaazhthu’ and the national anthem.

“On the very first day, they have smeared the face of ‘Mother Tamil’ with soot,” the editorial said, while also reminding Vijay that his government was formed with the support of parties allied to the DMK.

The editorial further claimed that Vijay “failed to secure majority” on his own and could form the government only through the backing of DMK allies.

The controversy erupted during Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony when ‘Vande Mataram’ was reportedly played before the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and the Tamil anthem.

The move drew criticism from the DMK and several other parties, including some allies now supporting the TVK-led government.

The Murasoli editorial accused the government of “nodding in compliance with the Governor’s agenda”.

It said Tamil Nadu’s established protocol requires the Tamil anthem to be played at the beginning of official state functions and the national anthem at the conclusion.

The editorial also referred to past disagreements between former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and former Governor RN Ravi over similar issues.

According to the DMK, Stalin had resisted attempts to alter the established protocol regarding the Tamil anthem at official events.

Responding to the criticism, TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna clarified that the Tamil anthem would be played first at all future government programmes.

He said the sequence followed during the swearing-in ceremony was based on a federal circular cited by the Governor’s office.

The TVK has maintained that it remains committed to its promises of secularism and Tamil identity despite the controversy.

Vijay’s government came to power last week with support from the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi after the party fell short of the majority mark in the Assembly elections.