Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday cited Assembly records to counter the opposition DMK's stance in the ongoing National Anthem row, accusing them of hypocrisy. He emphasized that the practice of playing the National Anthem twice or placing the state song second was initiated during the DMK's own previous tenure.
CM Exposes DMK's Contradictory Position
Speaking in the state Assembly, CM Vijay pointed out that the DMK, which now criticizes the current government's protocol, had itself followed the same procedure when it was in power. He referred to official records from the Assembly proceedings to substantiate his claim, stating that the opposition's current criticism is baseless and politically motivated.
The controversy erupted after the state government issued a directive mandating the National Anthem to be played twice during official events—once at the beginning and once at the end—with the state song 'Tamil Thai Valthu' placed second. The DMK had accused the government of undermining national unity.
Records Speak for Themselves
“The DMK's current criticism is hypocritical. The practice of playing the National Anthem twice or placing the state song second occurred during their own regime. The records from the Assembly clearly show this,” CM Vijay said. He added that the government is merely following established protocols and there is no deviation from the respect due to the National Anthem.
According to the records cited by the Chief Minister, during the DMK's rule from 2006 to 2011, similar instructions were issued for state functions, including the playing of the National Anthem twice. The CM challenged the opposition to deny these facts.
Political Fallout
The National Anthem row has intensified political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK staging protests and demanding a rollback of the directive. However, the CM's revelation has put the opposition on the defensive, as they now face accusations of double standards.
Political analysts note that this issue is likely to feature prominently in the upcoming local body elections, with both sides using it to mobilize support. The state government has maintained that its directive is in line with national guidelines and aims to instill patriotism.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began when the state government issued an order on June 20, 2026, specifying the order of playing the National Anthem and the state song at official events. The DMK claimed that placing the state song after the National Anthem twice was an affront to national unity. However, the government argued that it was a longstanding practice followed by previous administrations.
CM Vijay's rebuttal using Assembly records has effectively countered the DMK's narrative, forcing them to clarify their position. The opposition has yet to respond to the specific records cited by the Chief Minister.
