"Disregarding Tamil": DMK's RS Bharathi hits out at state government over Vande Mataram row

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 21 : DMK leader RS Bharathi on Thursday levelled sharp criticism against the state government after 'Vande Mataram' was played as the first rendition during the swearing-in of the extended cabinet of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday. The opposition had earlier raised the issue when the national song was accorded priority during Vijay's swearing-in.
Bharathi alleged that the current administration is showing a disregard for the Tamil language and its cultural protocols.
Speaking to ANI, the DMK leader claimed that the opposition parties had raised valid concerns, but the government had repeatedly ignored them.
"All the opposition parties raised this issue, but this has been repeated. They (State government) have got no interest in this issue, and they are disregarding Tamil," Bharathi said.
He further expressed concern over the state's developmental trajectory, stating, "In the days to come, I think Tamil Nadu will drop to third or fourth place, while it was at the first place during the tenure of MK Stalin."
The DMK leader connected the current row to the party's long-standing ideological opposition to the imposition of Hindi. He framed the party's stance as a historical necessity rather than a recent political pivot.
"We opposed Hindi imperialism even before the party was formed, and one of the reasons DMK came to power was the 1965 agitation. For the last 60 years, the 3-language policy did not enter Tamil Nadu," he emphasised.
Echoing similar thoughts, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko also strongly opposed the inclusion of "Vande Mataram" in Tamil Nadu government functions.
In a detailed statement, Vaiko said, "During events organised by the Governor, 'Vande Mataram' is being repeatedly brought in and imposed everywhere. We have already stated that in any event organised by the Tamil Nadu government, no place should be given to 'Vande Mataram.'"
He asserted that "Tamil Thai Vazhthu" should be sung first at state government events, followed by the national anthem "Jana Gana Mana."
"First, the 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' must be sung, and then the national anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana,' should be sung. This is what we have been firmly emphasising," he said.
Vaiko urged the Tamil Nadu government not to permit the song at official state functions.
"I strongly urge the Tamil Nadu government not to permit, under any circumstances, the introduction or singing of this controversial 'Vande Mataram' at Tamil Nadu government functions," he said.
Referring to the Governor's office, Vaiko said, "The Governor is organising these events, and since they are connected to his office, he has acted in this manner. But in functions conducted by the Tamil Nadu government, such incidents should not occur. Every time this issue has been raised, I have said the same thing, and I continue to say the same now as well."
Earlier after the national song took precedence during Vijay's swearing-in Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna had claimed that the Tamil invocation song 'Thamizhthai Vaazhthu' was pushed to third during Chief Minister Vijay's swearing-in ceremony because of "a new circular from the Union government" and affirmed that this practice will no longer be followed in the state.