Tharoor questions full rendition of Vande Mataram, calls it 'unnecessary imposition'

Key Takeaways

• Shashi Tharoor (File photo) Poll How many verses of Vande Mataram should be sung at public events?
• Only the first verse Two verses All five verses NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday weighed into the debate over the recitation of Vande Mataram, questioning whether the national song needs to be sung in full at every public event.
• Calling such a requirement "unnecessary and burdensome" for audiences, Tharoor said respect for Vande Mataram should not be confused with making its full rendition mandatory on every occasion.His remarks come amid a growing controversy over demands that the complete version of the national song be recited at official functions.
• Speaking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said that while everyone respects Vande Mataram, it was difficult to justify requiring the full song to be sung at every event.Referring to the commonly sung portion of the song, he said, “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.”The senior Congress leader noted that the long-standing convention has been to sing Vande Mataram once at the beginning of an event, with the national anthem played separately, often at the end.“Now they want all five verses to be sung at the beginning of every event and again at the end.