India, June 2 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the practice of playing all five verses of Vande Mataram at the beginning and end of official functions, describing it as an "unnecessary and burdensome" requirement for audiences.

Speaking to reporters in Kerala on Monday amid the ongoing debate over the rendition of the national song at official events, Tharoor said there was no dispute over respecting Vande Mataram, but making the full version mandatory at every programme was difficult to justify.

"Vande Mataram is the national song and we stand up in respect when it is sung. The first verse, or the first couple of verses, is something most people know by heart," he said.

The Congress Working Committee member noted that the ...