Centre Tells Madras HC Circular Does Not Mandate Tamil Thai Vaazhthu Sung At End

The Union government told the Madras High Court on Monday that its latest notification regarding the performance of Vande Mataram at official government functions does not mandate that the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu be sung at the end of such events. The submission was made in Chennai before the high court's first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan.

Additional Solicitor-General A R L Sundaresan appeared on behalf of the Centre to make the submission during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Chennai-based petitioner Ananya Radhakrishnan.

In her petition, Radhakrishnan sought judicial directions to authorities to ensure that government functions in Tamil Nadu systematically begin with the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu. She noted that it has been the established practice in Tamil Nadu for several years to open government functions with the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu and conclude them with the national anthem.

The petitioner alleged that this long-standing practice was being diluted by singing Vande Mataram and the national anthem before the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu. She challenged a Jan 28 circular issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding event protocols.

Contending that the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is not merely ceremonial but represents the culture, identity, and sentiments of the Tamil people, the petitioner asked the court to quash the Jan 28 circular. She further requested a direction to the Tamil Nadu state government to issue appropriate administrative instructions ensuring that government functions begin with the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu.