The Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Mother Teresa, Alagappa, Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Education and Anna University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) have condemned the announcement regarding the sequencing of invocation songs for the upcoming 33rd convocation ceremony of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU), scheduled to be held on July 28.

In a press statement issued by MUTA, A.T. Senthamaraikannan, General Secretary of the association, expressed outrage over Vice-Chancellor Prof. N. Chandrasekar’s confirmation that the event would follow a directive from the Governor’s office.

According to the university administration, the protocol will feature ‘Vande Mataram’ first, the National Anthem second, and the State song, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, relegated to third place.

MUTA termed the move a direct assault on the State's autonomy and an affront to the Tamil language.

They argued that demoting the State’s official song simply because the Governor was in attendance was completely unacceptable.

Highlighting the irony, MUTA pointed out that giving ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ a tertiary position in a university named after Professor P. Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai—the revered author of the State song itself constitutes a grave disrespect to his legacy.

Further, the statement criticised the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks implying that non-compliance with the Governor’s circular could invite punitive measures, stating that it lays bare unnecessary and heavy-handed administrative overreach by the Lok Bhavan.

MUTA urgently called upon the Government of Tamil Nadu to intervene and ensure that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ was accorded its rightful place at the forefront of the convocation ceremony, free from external coercion or conditions.

Published - July 27, 2026 08:18 pm IST