In a statement issued by A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), he stated as follows:
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli is named after Manonmaniam P. Sundaram Pillai, who composed Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The invocation section of his 1891 play Manonmaniam, containing the song beginning “Neerarum Kadaludutha…”, was adopted as Tamil Thai Vazhthu. Since 1970, it has been customary in Tamil Nadu to sing Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the beginning of government functions, educational institution events and public-sector programmes.
The Tamil Nadu Government declared it the official State Song in 2021. It also ordered that it must be sung at the beginning of all public functions, including those in educational institutions, and that everyone must stand and pay respect while the song is sung. In this situation, the 33rd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is scheduled to be held on the 28th under the chairmanship of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Against this background, the announcement made by University Vice-Chancellor K. Chandrasekar is like a spear piercing the hearts of Tamils. He has stated, based on instructions from Raj Bhavan, that Vande Mataram will be sung first at the university function, followed by the National Anthem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu third. This is not only contrary to Tamil Nadu’s tradition but also against the Union Home Ministry’s instructions. We strongly condemn such a position.
The Union Home Ministry’s order instructs that, where a State Song is included in a function, it should be sung first, followed by Vande Mataram, with the National Anthem at the end. However, pushing Tamil Thai Vazhthu, which expresses the pride of Tamil Nadu, to a later position with the intention of sidelining the language and cultural identity of Tamils appears to be an act of taking away Tamil identity and State rights.
It is unacceptable that such neglect should take place in the very university named after the person who composed Tamil Thai Vazhthu. Based on Tamil Nadu’s long-standing tradition, the government order, the Union Home Ministry’s instructions and the historical significance of the university, it is proper that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung first at the function. The Tamil Nadu Government and the university administration must ensure this in order to protect State rights and the dignity of Tamil.
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).
