Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), said the Vande Mataram ceremony at Lok Bhawan was organized by the Governor’s office [1, 2].

The incident has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu over protocol and state identity. The dispute centers on the order of songs played during official functions and whether the state government or the Governor's office holds authority over such arrangements.

The controversy began when a protocol change resulted in Vande Mataram being played before the Tamil state song and the national anthem [1, 2]. This sequence of events led to criticism of the TVK-led government regarding its adherence to regional traditions, and state-level preferences.

In response to the backlash, the TVK said that the event was not organized by the state government [1, 2, 3]. Instead, the party said the Governor’s office arranged the ceremony following a directive from the Union government [2, 3].

Lok Bhawan in Chennai served as the site for the ceremony, which has now become a focal point for tensions between the state administration and the central government's representatives [1, 2]. The TVK said the responsibility for the protocol shift lies with the Governor's office rather than the state cabinet [2, 3].

This latest friction follows a history of debates in the region regarding the prominence of Vande Mataram in official settings. The TVK's shift in responsibility highlights the ongoing tension between Union directives and the administrative autonomy of the Tamil Nadu state government [1, 2].

“The Vande Mataram ceremony at Lok Bhawan was organized by the Governor’s office”

This incident underscores the fragile balance of power between state governments in India and the Governor, who represents the Union government. By attributing the protocol change to a Union directive, the TVK is attempting to shield itself from regional criticism while highlighting the influence of the central government over state ceremonies.