NEW DELHI: TVK chief Vijay on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in a massive display of starpower, with thousands attending Thalapathy’s swearing in. However, what stood out at the event was the commencement of the programme with Vande Mataram and not with the state’s official song Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, which has usually been the practice.The move, seen as a message to the BJP, came in line with the Union home ministry’s directive making it compulsory to play the national song’s full version at formal and government events. Vijay’s swearing in ceremony started with Vande Mataram song, followed by the national anthem and then Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. Standing next to Vijay was Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, who has vehemently criticised the Centre’s charges that Congress, during Jawaharlal Nehru’s times, had omitted Vande Mataram paragraphs to fuel communal fire.
Ironically, the same was not followed at the oath taking ceremony of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, which took place on Saturday. The event was historic as it was the first time that a BJP government was formed in Bengal, and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh among others.
Earlier this week, the Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, placing the National Song, Vande Mataram on par with the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Currently, the law provides for imprisonment, fines, or both in cases involving insults to the Indian National Flag, the Constitution of India, or obstruction of the singing of the National Anthem. Under the proposal cleared at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vande Mataram would also be brought under these provisions, making violations of the prescribed norms a cognisable offence. The move comes as the country marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
