Tharoor Questions Mandatory Full Vande Mataram Rendition at Official Functions

In India, there is a very important song called the National Anthem, and another special song called Vande Mataram.

The government made a new rule saying that the whole Vande Mataram song must be sung at the start and end of official meetings.

A leader named Shashi Tharoor thinks this rule is a problem.

He loves both songs but says the full Vande Mataram is very long to sing.

The anthem takes less than one minute, while Vande Mataram takes more than three minutes.

Some places also play their own state song first, so people could stand for six minutes or more.

He asks whether the government can really make people feel respect just by passing a law.

The new law also says that hurting the song's honour is a crime, with punishment of up to three years in jail or a fine.

Tharoor worries that forcing people to stand so long may actually make them less patient and less respectful.