Chennai, May 21 -- DMK leader RS Bharathi on Thursday levelled sharp criticism against the state government after 'Vande Mataram' was played as the first rendition during the swearing-in of the extended cabinet of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday. The opposition had earlier raised the issue when the national song was accorded priority during Vijay's swearing-in.

Bharathi alleged that the current administration is showing a disregard for the Tamil language and its cultural protocols.

Speaking to ANI, the DMK leader claimed that the opposition parties had raised valid concerns, but the government had repeatedly ignored them.

"All the opposition parties raised this issue, but this has been repeated. They (State government) have got...