Shashi Tharoor warns full Vande Mataram renditions could strain event audiences
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned a proposed amendment that would require the complete singing of the National Song at official functions, saying it could force audiences to stand for many minutes.
In New Delhi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised concerns about a legislative amendment mandating the complete performance of Vande Mataram at government gatherings. He noted that the National Song in its entirety runs for three minutes and ten seconds, and that Tamil Nadu recently decided to precede it with a two-minute state anthem in Tamil. Combining both would require audiences to remain standing for about six minutes before and after an event, adding up to twelve minutes of uninterrupted standing.
Tharoor questioned whether respect and patience can be enforced through law, warning that the bill’s goal of enhancing reverence for the National Song might backfire. He suggested the practical implications could undermine the intended purpose of the legislation.
Why it matters
The debate highlights how cultural mandates can affect public ceremonies and raise questions about legislating respect.
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