New Delhi (India) June 2: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned the singing of all five stanzas of Vande Mataram at the start and the end of the official function. The politician said that this was "unnecessary and burdensome" to the audience.

Tharoor Opposes Mandatory Full Rendition

Tharoor mentioned that people respect Vande Mataram but mandating all the verses of the song on all occasions would be difficult to explain. The MP said that conventionally, the song used to be sung only at the commencement of the official proceedings and the National Anthem at the concluding part of it.

"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.

"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," he added.

Tharoor Questions Need For Repeated Singing

Tharoor added that the part of Vande Mataram that used to be sung publicly earlier was roughly of the same length as that of the National Anthem, and has since been widely adopted and respected. He stated that he expects the controversy to end soon.

"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.

Malviya Stresses National Song Protocols

Reacting to Tharoor's statement in a blunt tone, BJP leader Amit Malviya said that singing of Vande Mataram is not "optional". Also, it is not about the states deciding casually whether to obey or not.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines are explicit: whenever Vande Mataram is rendered at official functions, the full official version is to be sung, and all six stanzas are to be played at designated government events. The guidelines further prescribe the occasions on which it must be rendered and the protocol to be followed, including standing in attention," he said.

Bhandari Accuses Congress Of Politics

Another BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also attacked Congress over the comment by Tharoor. He said that Congress is trying to malign national symbols for petty politics.

"Vande Mataram is India's national song and not a political choice, not 'optional'. If states start selectively ignoring national protocols for political appeasement, the idea of national unity itself gets weakened," Bhandari said.

"The problem is not with Vande Mataram. The problem is with those who are uncomfortable saying it. Shame on Congress. Congress is the Muslim League Maoist (Naxalite) Congress," Bhandari added.

Home Ministry Guidelines On Vande Mataram

The Home Ministry this year asked all the central and state governments and all the schools to sing Vande Mataram at the commencement of the proceedings prior to the singing of the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. All six stanzas were to be sung and the participants were directed to stand.