Shashi Tharoor (file photo)

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday fueled the debate on singing of Vande Mataram by questioning whether the national anthem should be sung in full at every public function. Describing such a requirement as “unnecessary and burdensome” for audiences, Tharoor said respect for Vande Mataram should not be confused with making its full presentation mandatory on every occasion.His comments come amid the growing controversy over the demand for playing the full version of the national anthem at official functions. Speaking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said that although everyone respects Vande Mataram, it is difficult to justify the need to sing the entire song at every event.Referring to the commonly sung part of the song, he said, “Vande Mataram is the national song and when it is sung we stand in respect. The first stanza, or the first few stanzas, is something most people know by heart.”The senior Congress leader said it has been a tradition for a long time that Vande Mataram is sung once at the beginning of any program and often the national anthem is played separately at the end. He said, “Now they want all five verses to be sung at the beginning of every program and then again at the end. I think this is an unnecessary imposition.”Tharoor pointed out that while the Kerala government has said that singing the full version is optional, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has a different view. “Ultimately this may have to be ruled on as there is no law passed by Parliament that requires it. It’s more a matter of tradition,” he said.Emphasizing that he had no objection to the national anthem, Tharoor said, “We all respect Vande Mataram. I can happily sing it for you.”Recalling a book launch event held in New Delhi in the presence of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Tharoor said the entire song was played at the beginning and end of the event. He said, “It became an issue for the audience to watch a relatively unfamiliar and long song twice.”He described the dispute as “unfortunate” and expressed hope that it would be resolved amicably. He said, “I can understand singing it once during ceremonies involving the President, the Vice President or the Prime Minister. But it is difficult to understand singing the entire song twice during a small event. I don’t see any justification for it, and it is not particularly effective.”However, the ruling-BJP party criticized the Thiruvananthapuram MP over his stance on Vande Mataram. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Congress is succumbing to the pressure of Muslim League.”