C. Joseph Vijay Sworn in as Tamil Nadu's Ninth Chief Minister Amid Controversy
C. Joseph Vijay has been sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in a ceremony that began with the national anthem 'Vande Mataram', stirring political controversy. The event, attended by thousands, deviated from tradition by prioritizing 'Vande Mataram' over the state song 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu'. This decision aligns with a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs but has faced criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress and CPI. The political implications of this ceremony are significant, as it reflects ongoing tensions between the BJP and Congress regarding national identity and cultural representation.
| May 10, 2026, 19:45 IST
C. Joseph Vijay Takes Office
After a four-day struggle to secure a majority for Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, C. Joseph Vijay, leader of the Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), has officially taken the oath as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, attracting thousands of attendees. Notably, the event commenced with the national anthem 'Vande Mataram' instead of the state song 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu'. The ceremony featured the singing of all six verses of 'Vande Mataram', followed by the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and the state song.
Controversial Start to the Ceremony
This decision aligns with the directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 28, which stated that the original version of 'Vande Mataram', composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, should be sung in full before the national anthem at all official events. However, this directive faced strong backlash from opposition parties. Coincidentally, 'Vande Mataram' was performed in the presence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who had sharply criticized the government's instruction.
Political Implications of the Ceremony
This move is perceived as a message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Congress and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of promoting a communal agenda by removing verses praising Goddess Durga from 'Vande Mataram'. The BJP's allegations have sparked significant political uproar, leading to intense reactions from both the BJP and the Gandhi family.
Criticism from CPI
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has criticized the decision to play 'Vande Mataram' before 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' at Vijay's swearing-in ceremony. CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian stated that the Tamil Nadu government should publicly clarify the identities of those responsible for this mistake. He emphasized that the decision, reportedly made under the directives of Lok Bhavan, which prioritized 'Vande Mataram' over the Tamil prayer, violates established traditions.