Chennai/IBNS, Aug. 10 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday underscored the importance of the mother tongue as the state Assembly unanimously passed a resolution making the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu mandatory at the beginning of all government events, media reports said.

The resolution comes amid a renewed debate over language and cultural identity in Tamil Nadu, with the state continuing to oppose the Centre's three-language formula in schools.

The resolution, backed by legislators across party lines, including members of the Opposition DMK and AIADMK, mandates that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu be sung at the commencement of programmes organised by government offices, educational institutions, universities, public sector ...