Chennai | A fresh political controversy erupted on Thursday after the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu (invocation song) was rendered last in the sequence of songs performed during the swearing-in of newly inducted Tamil Nadu ministers at Lok Bhavan.

DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi strongly condemned the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu being placed third in the order of songs at the swearing-in of TVK ministers, saying the incident reflected that, just as the Tamil invocation song was pushed down in sequence, Tamil Nadu too would be pushed back in every sphere.

“There has been continuous disrespect to the Tamil invocation song,” he said in a statement.

Left parties also objected to the Tamil anthem being sung after Vande Mataram and the national anthem at the swearing-in ceremony held in the presence of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, marking his maiden cabinet expansion.

As many as 21 TVK MLAs and two Congress legislators were inducted into the Cabinet earlier in the day.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the 23 newly inducted ministers.

A similar controversy had emerged when the Tamil anthem, traditionally sung at the commencement of state government functions, was placed third after Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana during Vijay’s swearing-in as CM on May 10.

Stating that the Tamil Nadu governor should prioritise the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the sentiments of the Tamil people should be taken into due consideration.

“We reiterate that the governor should give more importance to the Tamil anthem. We respect India’s national song and national anthem, but we insist that the Tamil anthem should be given priority,” Veerapandian told reporters.

He clarified that his party was not against the national song or national anthem but wanted the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu to be accorded priority at government events.

Veerapandian further defended the state government, pointing out that the state Assembly correctly prioritises the Tamil invocation song.

“This is an event of the governor and the union government,” he noted, urging the governor to respect the sentiments of the Tamil people.

CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said that when the issue of the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu being sung last was raised with the CM, the latter clarified the administrative protocol dictating the sequence.

According to Shanmugam, the CM said that the governor, as the representative of the central government, follows its protocol. Consequently, Vande Mataram is rendered first in all official events attended by the governor, the president, or the vice president.

However, Shanmugam assured that this protocol would not apply to independent Tamil Nadu government events where such constitutional authorities are not present.

Newly inducted TVK minister N Marie Wilson defended the state government, saying the event’s logistics were entirely outside its control.

“Both functions (the May 10 and May 21 swearing-in ceremonies) were organised by the governor’s office. The state government has no role in it. We have clarified this earlier, and this remains our position today,” she said.

When questioned about the unfolding controversy and the CPI’s criticisms, Minister Venkataramanan briefly noted that the matter would be “checked and addressed” by the party leadership.