Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan stated that singing the state song after the national anthem and song is not an insult. Speaking at CUTN's 11th Convocation, he urged students to prioritize the nation and avoid drug abuse.

  • VP C.P. Radhakrishnan clarified that the sequence of songs does not constitute an insult to the state song.
  • Emphasized the 'Nation First' approach in every action.
  • Urged police to be merciless against the drug mafia to protect youth.
  • 1,103 graduates, including 50 gold medalists, were honored at CUTN.

Addressing the 11th Convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) at Neelakudi, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the order of songs played at official functions. He asserted that singing Tamil Thai Vazhthu after Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana cannot be construed as an insult to the state song.

The Vice-President lamented the increasing trend of politicizing cultural and national symbols in Tamil Nadu. He questioned the logic of those who claim that not singing the state song first is a sign of disrespect. "Can anybody insult their mother? When you cannot insult your mother and cannot insult your mother tongue, you cannot insult your motherland either," he remarked, urging for a uniform adherence to national protocols.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the Vice-President is attempting to decouple linguistic identity from political conflict. By linking the state's freedom struggle—specifically the roles of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Subramaniya Siva—to the national slogan 'Vande Mataram', he is reinforcing the narrative that regional pride and national loyalty are inherently linked.

Highlighting the historical significance of the national song, Mr. Radhakrishnan noted that Vande Mataram was the catalyst that helped India achieve independence. He reminded the audience that local heroes in Tamil Nadu had walked village-to-village with this single slogan to mobilize the masses against British colonial rule.

"The synergy between regional linguistic pride and national identity is the cornerstone of a stable and diverse democracy."

Beyond the cultural debate, the Vice-President took a stern stance on the menace of narcotics. He called upon the police to be "merciless" in their crackdown on the drug mafia, stating that the minds of the youth must be controlled by their own will and not by chemical dependencies.

The ceremony saw 1,103 graduates receiving their degrees, with a strong representation of women. Out of the total graduates, 616 were women, and among the 50 gold medalists, 37 were women, highlighting a significant achievement in gender parity in higher education. The event was attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and other dignitaries.

Did You Know?: Tamil Thai Vazhthu was adopted as the official state song of Tamil Nadu to honor the antiquity and richness of the Tamil language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What was the Vice-President's view on the state song's order?
A: He stated that singing it third is not an insult and that national protocols should be followed uniformly.

Q2: What was the Vice-President's message to the police?
A: He urged them to be merciless in taking action against the drug mafia to protect the youth.