Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the practice of playing all five verses of Vande Mataram at the beginning and end of official functions, describing it as an “unnecessary and burdensome” requirement for audiences.
Speaking to reporters in Kerala on Monday amid the ongoing debate over the rendition of the national song at official events, Tharoor said there was no dispute over respecting Vande Mataram, but making the full version mandatory at every programme was difficult to justify.
“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.
The Congress Working Committee member noted that the traditional practice had been to sing Vande Mataram once at the beginning of an event, while the national anthem was often played separately at the conclusion.
“Now they want all five verses to be sung at the beginning of every event and again at the end. I think that is an unnecessary imposition,” Tharoor remarked.
Referring to the controversy in Kerala, he said the state government had maintained that singing the full version was optional, while Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar appeared to hold a different view.
“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 said.
Tharoor emphasised that he had no objection to the national song itself and reiterated his respect for it.
“We all respect Vande Mataram. I can happily sing it for you,” he said.
Recalling a recent book launch event attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in New Delhi, Tharoor said the complete rendition of the song was played both at the start and end of the programme.
“For the audience, standing through a relatively unfamiliar and lengthy song twice became an issue,” he observed.
According to Tharoor, the portion of Vande Mataram traditionally sung in public is roughly comparable in duration to the national anthem and has long enjoyed widespread acceptance.
Describing the controversy as “unfortunate”, he expressed hope that the matter 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.
