C. Joseph Vijay's oath-taking ceremony as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu sparked a political dispute over the order of patriotic songs performed at the event.

The controversy highlights a deepening ideological rift between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK regarding regional identity and national protocol. At the center of the clash is whether the Tamil state song or national anthems should take precedence during official functions.

The ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. According to reports, "Vande Mataram" was sung in full, followed by the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana," and then the Tamil state song [2]. This sequence deviated from the traditional protocol expected by opposition leaders.

T. K. S. Elangovan, a leader of the DMK, criticized the arrangement. "The practice here is to play the Tamil anthem first, the national anthem at the end," Elangovan said [1].

The DMK argues that the reversal of this order is a political move favoring the TVK, which they describe as BJP-aligned [1]. The opposition maintains that prioritizing the national songs over the state anthem undermines regional tradition.

Conflicting reports exist regarding the specific direction of the protocol. Some sources indicate the Governor requested that "Vande Mataram" be sung first, followed by the Tamil anthem [1]. Other reports state that the national anthem was played between the two [2].

The dispute marks one of the first major public confrontations between the TVK and DMK since Vijay assumed office. The disagreement over the sequence of songs has become a proxy for a larger battle over the balance of state and national identity in Tamil Nadu politics.

“"The practice here is to play the Tamil anthem first, the national anthem at the end."”

The friction over the anthem sequence reflects the tension between Tamil regionalism and Indian nationalism. By altering the traditional order of the state and national songs, the TVK administration is signaling a shift in political alignment that challenges the DMK's long-standing emphasis on state-first cultural protocol.