'Bitter disdain persists': BJP slams Shashi Tharoor over Vande Mataram remark

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson CR Kesavan harshly criticized Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his remarks regarding the full rendition of India's national song, Vande Mataram. Kesavan argued that Tharoor's stance is in stark contrast to the sacrifices made by freedom fighters who gave their lives for the country's independence, and that the Congress party has long shown disrespect towards the song.

The BJP spokesperson accused the Congress of appeasement politics and disdain towards Vande Mataram, pointing to Nehru's colonial mindset in his objections to the song's tune. Tharoor had argued that the full original rendition of the song, which lasts for 3 minutes and 10 seconds, is too long for people to stand through respectfully.

He also predicted that the amendment would require audiences to stand for an additional 12 minutes during official functions, questioning the practicality of such a requirement. The President had given her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends statutory protection to Vande Mataram.

The national song will be sung during Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15, as part of the government's focus on the contributions of India's youth towards a developed nation by 2047.