Archive · 11 Aug 2026
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.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the Centre's mandate requiring the full Vande Mataram to be sung at the start and end of official functions, alongside the National Anthem.
President Droupadi Murmu has assented to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends equal statutory penal protection to Vande Mataram.
The amended law makes insulting Vande Mataram or disrupting its singing a punishable offence, carrying up to three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Tharoor noted that Jana Gana Mana takes about 52 seconds, the full Vande Mataram takes around 3 minutes and 10 seconds, and Tamil Nadu's State Song adds another 2 minutes.
Tharoor warned the mandate might achieve the opposite of its intent, questioning whether respect and patience can be legislated.
- Who
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who criticised the mandate, and President Droupadi Murmu, who gave assent to the bill.
- What
- A new law mandating full singing of Vande Mataram at official functions and making insults to it a punishable offence.
- When
- Parliament passed the bill last month; Tharoor's comments came on Tuesday.
- Where
- India, at official functions nationwide, with Tamil Nadu's State Song decision also cited.
- Why
- The government says the law grants Vande Mataram status on par with the National Anthem; Tharoor argues it may reduce respect rather than promote it.
Supporters of the Amendment
Tharoor's Criticism
Mandatory Full Rendition
Supporters of the Amendment
The mandate gives Vande Mataram the same honour as the National Anthem, ensuring due respect at official functions.
Tharoor's Criticism
Requiring up to six minutes of standing before and after events, including Tamil Nadu's State Song, is impractical and may breed impatience.
Legislating Respect
Supporters of the Amendment
Penal protection for the National Song upholds national honour and deters insult.
Tharoor's Criticism
Respect and patience cannot be legislated, and forced formality may achieve the opposite of the law's intent.
- Legislation
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Requirement
- Full Vande Mataram to be sung at start and end of official functions
- President's Assent
- Droupadi Murmu
- Penalty
- Up to 3 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both
- Duration of Jana Gana Mana
- About 52 seconds
- Duration of Full Vande Mataram
- 3 minutes and 10 seconds
- Tamil Nadu State Song Duration
- About 2 minutes
- Parliamentary Passage
- Passed last month amid din, without detailed discussion
