The rendition of a Sanskrit invocation song at an event in IIT-Madras has enraged Opposition parties and some students who launched a protest demanding an apology from the Centre.
According to reports, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi on the Dravidan states through such means.
He claimed that any government function in Tamil Nadu stars with the rendition of the Tamil anthem ‘Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu’ (Invocation to Thamizh Mother).
IIT-Madras triggered a controversy on Monday, 26 February, after students sang ‘Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami’ as the invocation song in the presence of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Pon Radhakrishnan.
“Both Nitin Gadkari and Pon Radhakrishnan, who were at the function, should publicly tender an apology for the incident, as singing of the Tamil invocation song is the usual practice in any government function,” Vaiko told reporters at Coimbatore.
PMK leader Anbumani and CPI(M) state secretary K Balakrishnan shared Vaiko’s sentiments.
DMK leader Stalin said, “The Sanskrit invocation song is based on a religion. All government functions in Tamil Nadu commence with the Tamil anthem. The Centre has ignored this practice to insult the Tamil language and its culture.”
Interestingly, the Sanskrit song has been penned by early 19th century Tamil poet Muthuswami Dikshithar.
‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu’ was penned by Tamil scholar Manomaniam Sundaram Pillai of the late 19th century.
Director of IIT-M Bhaskar Ramamoorthy, who was also present at the event, said the institution does not issue any directions to students for a particular song to be sung.
“We do not issue any directions to the students. It is they who choose the invocation song and render it on such occasions,” he said.
The Union Ministers laid the foundation stone of National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts, to be set up along with IIT-Madras.
(With PTI inputs.)