“Tamil is our emotion and identity,” Vijay told the Assembly, arguing that the state could not sacrifice its pride or disregard its own language. Under the resolution, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu is to come first at programmes conducted by government offices, educational institutions, universities, public-sector undertakings and other public institutions. The tension became visible at a recent convocation at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University – an institution named, with some historical irony, after the very scholar who wrote ‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu’. At the ceremony, the Tamil invocation was placed third, after Vande Mataram and the National Anthem, drawing criticism across Tamil Nadu’s political spectrum. On December 12, 2021, it formally recognised ‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu’ as Tamil Nadu’s state song and made standing during its rendition compulsory, with an exemption for differently abled persons.