Shashi Tharoor Calls Mandatory Full Vande Mataram at Every Official Event "Unnecessary Imposition"

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the necessity of mandating the full rendition of Vande Mataram at official functions, describing the practice as unnecessary and burdensome for audiences. His remarks come amid an ongoing debate in Kerala over the protocol surrounding the singing of India's national song at government events and public ceremonies.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said that while Vande Mataram commands widespread respect across the country, requiring all its verses to be sung at both the beginning and end of official programmes is difficult to justify. He noted that most people are familiar with the opening verses of the song, which have traditionally been performed during public events, and argued that this long-standing convention has worked effectively for decades.

The Congress leader pointed out that public functions have generally featured a brief rendition of Vande Mataram at the start, followed by the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, at the conclusion. According to him, extending the practice to include all verses of the national song twice during a single event places an unnecessary burden on attendees. Tharoor stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as opposition to the national song itself, which he said deserves respect and recognition.

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The controversy has emerged against the backdrop of differing interpretations regarding official guidelines. Tharoor observed that the Kerala government has maintained that singing the complete version of Vande Mataram is optional, while Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has appeared to support a stricter interpretation. He suggested that the issue may ultimately require legal clarification, noting that there is no specific parliamentary legislation mandating the practice and that much of the debate revolves around convention and administrative directives.

Tharoor cited a recent book launch event attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in New Delhi, where the full version of Vande Mataram was reportedly played both at the start and end of the programme. He said audience members were required to stand through a lengthy rendition that many were unfamiliar with, raising questions about practicality and efficiency. While acknowledging the importance of ceremonial observance during high-profile state functions, he maintained that the rationale for repeated full renditions remains unclear.

The comments have drawn strong criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. BJP leader Amit Malviya argued that existing Home Ministry guidelines require the full official version of Vande Mataram to be rendered at designated government functions and maintained that compliance is not optional. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also criticised Tharoor's position, accusing the Congress of yielding to political pressure. The debate has once again brought national attention to Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and formally adopted as India's national song in 1950.

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