Tamil Nadu: C. Joseph Vijay scripted a historic political milestone as he took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, May 10, marking the beginning of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) first government in the state.
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The swearing-in ceremony drew attention, as Vande Mataram was played before the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. At the event, Vande Mataram was played first, followed by National Anthem Jana Gana Mana and then Tamil thai Vazhthu. The playing of 'Vande Mataram' at the oath taking drew significance as the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved a proposal to grant the song the same legal status as the national anthem.
#VandeMataram Echoes At Vijay's Oath Ceremony In Tamil Nadu Amid Centre's Push For Equal Status With National Anthem
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) May 10, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/nl1vhB5n0O #TamilNadu #TVK #TamilNaduCM pic.twitter.com/wlteIxu4RA
Once implemented, the law will treat Vande Mataram on par with the national anthem, meaning any intentional disruption during its singing, acts of disrespect or insult could invite up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. Repeat offences may carry stricter penalties, including a minimum one-year sentence.
Vande Mataram!
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) May 6, 2026
Delighted to share that the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, has approved the amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, granting our National Song Vande Mataram the same statutory… pic.twitter.com/3JIxUSjYxI
No Vande Mataram At Bengal Swearing-In
The move to grant Vande Mataram the same legal status as Jana Gana Mana came in the wake of BJP's electoral success in West Bengal. Even during the West Bengal Assembly elections, Vande Mataram had emerged as a major political theme and was frequently invoked in campaign speeches and rallies. However, Vande Mataram was not played during Suvendu Adhikari's oath-taking ceremony at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground on May 9, which was attended by PM Modi and several other BJP leaders.
Actor Vijay's Oath-Taking Ceremony
The oath was administered by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Vijay's parents, actress Trisha Krishna, among others. Apart from Vijay, nine other TVK leaders, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KA Sengottaiyan, KG Arunraj, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, TK Prabhu and S Keerthana, also took oath as ministers in his cabinet.
TVK secured the support of 120 MLAs, crossing the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. The party also received backing from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League.