CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday declared Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu as the State song, making it mandatory for everyone to stand up when it is recited at functions. However, the differently-abled and pregnant women will be exempted from this.
The State government's order comes after the Madras High Court recently ruled that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was only a prayer song and not a national anthem and hence, there was no need for everyone to stand up.
An official release said a G.O. has been issued in this regard, and that the song should be recited compulsorily during functions organised by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and at functions organised by public organisations, at the beginning of the events.
The press release also said the song, composed by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, should be recited by trained people instead of playing its recorded version. Mentioning the Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu verses, the release said the song should be recited for 55 seconds in Mullaiparani Ragam (Mohana Ragam) and in Thisra Thalam.
'Intention is to respect invocation to Mother Tamil'
Senio r advocate Tamil Mani is of the view that the State government can issue such a G.O as long as it does not affect the fundamental rights of a citizen. The intention of the order is to respect the invocation to Mother Tamil and it may not face any legal hurdles.
Former Judge of Madras High Court D Hariparanthaman said there is no legal provision to punish those who violate such orders and it is evident from Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which says: "Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment. Only this will apply to Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu too."
The release also recalled that on March 11, 1970, former chief minister M Karunanidhi announced that the verses of Manonmanian Sundaranar would be recited as Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu at the beginning of State government functions.
This announcement followed a request from Karanthai Thamizh Sangam which has been reciting this song as Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu since 1913. An appropriate order in this regard was issued on November 23, 1970.
Welcoming the announcement, BJP State president K Annamalai said, "Chief Minister MK Stalin should come forward to include the lines which were dropped by M Karunanidhi in 1970 when this song was declared as Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu. Using the song as composed by its author will be honouring the author. So, the lines which highlight theism should be re-included in Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu now."