Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the practice of playing the full version of Vande Mataram at the beginning and end of official events, calling it “unnecessary and burdensome” for audiences.
Speaking amid an ongoing debate in Kerala over the national song, Tharoor said that while Vande Mataram deserves respect, making all five verses compulsory at every official function is difficult to justify. He noted that the first one or two verses are widely known and have traditionally been sung at public events.
“Vande Mataram is the national song and we stand up in respect when it is sung. The first verse, or the first couple of verses, is something most people know by heart,” he said.
“It may ultimately have to be adjudicated because there is no law passed by Parliament requiring this. It is more a matter of convention,” he remarked.
Tharoor stressed that he had no objection to the national song itself.
“We all respect Vande Mataram. I can happily sing it for you,” added Tharoor.
Tharoor argued that audiences may find it difficult to stand through the full rendition twice during short programmes. He also said there is no parliamentary law mandating the complete version be played at every event and described the issue as a matter of convention.
Calling the dispute "unfortunate", he said he hoped it would be resolved amicably.
“I can understand singing it once during ceremonial occasions involving the president, vice president or prime minister. But singing the entire song twice during a short programme is difficult to understand. I don’t see the rationale for it, and it is not particularly efficient either,” he said.
The remarks come amid a wider controversy in Kerala, where differing views have emerged over whether the national song should be sung in full at official functions.
