New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan on Tuesday counterattacked Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who questioned the practical feasibility of mandating the full six-stanza composition of Vande Mataram, arguing that requiring audiences to stand for over three minutes alongside other ceremonial anthems pushes the limits of human endurance.

He criticised senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor over his remarks that the full original rendition of Vande Mataram, which takes 3 minutes and 10 seconds, is too lengthy for people to stand through respectfully and patiently.

Responding to Tharoor, Kesavan alleged that the Congress' position on the national song was at odds with the sacrifices of freedom fighters who, he said, gave their lives for...