- Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium hosted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's oath ceremony
- Vande Mataram was sung fully, followed by the national anthem and state song
- Union Home Ministry mandates singing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram with the anthem
Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium came alive today with thousands cheering for Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as he took the oath after a historic performance by his new party, TVK, in the assembly election.
Among the many interesting sights and sounds at Vijay's oath-taking ceremony, 'Vande Mataram' was sung in full. It was followed by the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and the state song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu'.
The sequence followed the Union Home Ministry's order in January that said all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, written by Bengali poet Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the national song and the national anthem are to be played together.
The Centre is observing the 150th year of Vande Mataram, which played a historic part in the struggle for freedom from British rule. In the latest move just days ago, the Union Cabinet approved an amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, granting Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem.
The national song, however, was not played when the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Bengal Chief Minister on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders in attendance.
Vijay Takes Oath As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Vijay was sworn in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in a ceremony attended by his parents and top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Governor RV Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and nine of his cabinet members, who included veteran KA Sengottaiyan and young faces TK Prabhu and S Keerthana.
His first signatures on government files were to provide 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, creating a special force for women's safety.
In his address after taking the oath, Vijay said he was not from any royal lineage and that people welcomed and accepted him. He said he will not deceive people with false promises.
Vijay wrapped up the hour-long event by clicking a selfie with those on the stage, including Rahul Gandhi and his cabinet colleagues.
