Truncated national anthem played at Jayalalithaa’s swearing-in

Chennai, May 23:

The swearing-in ceremony of AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalalithaa as chief minister and her council of ministers here on Saturday caused a controversy after a very short version of the national anthem was played on the occasion.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, it was announced that the national anthem would be played followed by Tamizh Thai Vazhthu (Invocation to Mother Tamil).

To the surprise of many just two lines of the national anthem — the first line and the last line — were played and it was followed by Tamizh Thai Vazhthu.

After all the ministers were sworn-in the full version of the national anthem was played.

On both the occasions, when the national anthem was played people present in the Madras University Centenary Auditorium stood in silence.

Another unique aspect was the swearing-in of the council of ministers in two batches of 14 members each after Jayalalithaa took the oath of office and secrecy. (IANS)