Thiruvananthapuram, June 2: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed reservations over proposals to make the full version of Vande Mataram mandatory at public events, saying unnecessary coercion is not appropriate.
Speaking amid the ongoing debate in Kerala over the rendition of Vande Mataram, Tharoor said everyone respects the song but questioned efforts to make all five stanzas compulsory at official functions.
Tharoor said Vande Mataram holds a special place in India’s national consciousness and that people stand with respect while it is sung. He noted that the first two stanzas have traditionally received recognition and respect comparable to that accorded during national ceremonies.
According to him, the established practice has been to sing Vande Mataram at the beginning of programmes, while the national anthem is rendered separately, often at the conclusion of events.
He said the current controversy revolves around proposals requiring all five stanzas of Vande Mataram to be sung at the beginning and end of programmes. Tharoor argued that imposing such a requirement would amount to unnecessary compulsion.
The Congress leader also pointed to differing interpretations regarding the issue. He said the Kerala government has maintained that singing all five stanzas is optional, while statements attributed to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar appear to reflect a different position.
Tharoor said people widely accept and respect the practice of singing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram. He described the dispute over making the full version mandatory as unfortunate and expressed hope that an acceptable resolution would be reached.
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