Court finds grievances addressed by revised government circulars, dismisses petition as infructuous
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court on August 18, 2026, dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the sequencing of Tamil Nadu’s official State song, Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, in official ceremonies. The petition was filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, who sought to quash a Central Government circular that did not mandate the State song's placement after national songs, claiming it diluted the song's ceremonial status and violated cultural rights under Article 29(1) of the Constitution.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, noted that the grievances raised by the petitioner had been addressed through recent administrative updates. A revised circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9, 2026, clarified that while the National Song Vande Mataram and National Anthem Jana Gana Mana must be sung together, the placement of State songs, such as Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, is left to the discretion of the respective State Governments.
Furthermore, the Government of Tamil Nadu issued a Government Order on August 12, 2026, reaffirming that Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu would continue to be sung at the beginning of official functions, educational institutions, and public sector undertakings in Tamil Nadu. The court acknowledged this reaffirmation and concluded that the petition had become infructuous as the issues raised were adequately addressed.
The court’s decision underscores the autonomy of State Governments in determining the placement of their State songs in ceremonies, while maintaining a standardized protocol for the rendition of the National Song and National Anthem. The ruling brings clarity to the ceremonial practices associated with State songs and emphasizes the importance of cultural rights within the federal structure.
Bottom Line :
Placement of State songs in official functions and constitutional ceremonies - Revised circular issued by the Central Government and formal reaffirmation by the State Government regarding the position of Tamil Nadu's State song, Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, addresses grievances in the petition.
Statutory provision(s): Article 29(1) of the Constitution of India
