Madurai MP Su Venkatesan, author of historical fiction, kicked off a fresh controversy by saying that singing Vande Mataram is not mandatory while speaking to the media on 21 June and sharing the dais with Tamil Nadu Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar. The CPM MP, known for his anti-Hindu rants and sticker-pasting campaigns claiming favourable actions due to his efforts, said, “Mandatory ‘Vande Mataram’ singing at Governor’s office events is unconstitutional and violates individual rights.”
“Mandatory 'Vande Mataram' singing at Governor's office events is unconstitutional, violates individual rights.”
– CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan pic.twitter.com/qeiCiPpt2z
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) June 21, 2026
He said that no one is an enemy of the National Anthem and that singing it multiple times does not violate protocol, adding, “Jana Gana Mana is our National Anthem, and it can be sung even 20 times if desired.”
He dismissed the allegations of protocol violations, stating that such criticisms are often made with the deliberate intention of finding fault where none exists.
The CPM leader Su Venkatesan clarified that playing the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (the State anthem) first, and the National Anthem twice during State functions, violates no traditions or rules.
The CPM MP said, “Forcing citizens—including religious minorities and atheists—to sing a song that personifies the nation as a specific religious deity violates the Indian Constitution and individual religious freedom.”
Earlier, on June 4, he had said, “Complete Vande Mataram must not be sung at official events; only the State anthem should be sung first.”
During a parliamentary debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, he argued in the Lok Sabha that slogans such as Jai Hind and Inquilab Zindabad are equally important to the nation’s history.
BJP Tamil Nadu State Vice President P. Kanagasabapathi criticised CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan for his remarks.
BJP Tamil Nadu leader ANS Prasad, in a statement, termed Venkatesan’s speech part of a dangerous conspiracy, adding that he was actively sabotaging Chief Minister Vijay’s development agenda by ruthlessly undermining Centre-State harmony.
Prasad urged Chief Minister Vijay to take strict action against those who insult “Vande Mataram” in violation of the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
He recalled that on June 18, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session began with the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, followed by the Governor’s address. Due respect was also paid to the National Anthem. “The decision to sing Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu first has brought immense joy to Tamils across the world and to all those with genuine national spirit. Yet, some with a narrow political outlook have once again revealed their anti-national mindset,” he said.
Prasad said, “Venkatesan, who habitually speaks in a manner that divides people on every issue, has attempted to inflame the smooth and successful ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ matter in the Assembly and create confusion in Tamil Nadu.”
The MP said, “There is nothing wrong in singing the National Anthem twice. Our National Anthem can be sung any number of times. But refusing to sing ‘Vande Mataram’, which harms national unity and secularism, is the truly welcome and important act.” He made this remark in the presence of a Tamil Nadu Minister. “This sets a dangerous precedent and is strongly condemnable,” Prasad said.
Prasad further said, “‘Vande Mataram’ is the magical slogan that brought millions into India’s freedom struggle. It is incomprehensible why Su Venkatesan now shudders upon hearing ‘Vande Mataram’. His remarks directly insult the freedom fighters of our nation. As a Member of Parliament who took oath under the Indian Constitution, his act of belittling a song recognised in the constitutional framework is a criminal offence.”
The BJP leader said that “the remarks of Venkatesan—a member of the ruling alliance—raise serious concerns that they may be part of a calculated conspiracy to sabotage Centre-State relations.”
Tracing the history, Prasad referred to Mahakavi Bharathiyar, Kappalottiya Tamizhan V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Theerar Subramania Siva and Veeran Vanchinathan, all of whom sang and cherished this patriotic song that kindled the flame of the freedom movement in Tamil Nadu.
He exhorted that all political party leaders in Tamil Nadu must strongly condemn the anti-national and divisive statements made by Venkatesan. “Politics should not be played with the patriotic song ‘Vande Mataram’. Tamil Nadu, which stood as an exemplar in the national mainstream during the freedom struggle, must clearly articulate the State Government’s firm position in a manner that upholds this proud legacy.”
Critics say “misusing the protection given to MPs, MLAs and ministers to make seditious statements and echo the voice of divisive forces is unacceptable. They are under a constitutional oath. It is no wonder that communists, who owe allegiance to foreign ideologies and opposed Bharat’s freedom, are taking an anti-India stand even on the National Anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’. It is for the people to discredit and discard them from active politics. Left parties are now part of the TVK government. This has emboldened them to speak and act according to their whims and fancies.”
