Tamil Nadu Governor urged to reinstate 'Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu' as opening anthem

Twenty‑one Tamil Nadu MPs, including P. Chidambaram and Karti Chidambaram, have written to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar requesting that the state anthem "Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu" be performed at the start of all government and university functions, with the National Anthem played at the conclusion. The appeal follows a convocation ceremony at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli on 28 July, where the order of songs was changed to Vande Mataram, then the National Anthem, and finally the state anthem, sparking criticism and accusations of disrespect toward Tamil heritage. The MPs argue that the traditional sequence, recognised since 2021, reflects deep cultural significance and should be restored to avoid further controversy. The Governor has not yet responded to the representation.