Shashi Tharoor, addressing a gathering at the CSI Christ Church, on its 150th Anniversary, on November 15th, expressed that national song be optional. Drawing a simile to national sport he told that one can sing it out of respect but it is not bounding on him to do so. Important to note that Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind had issued fatwa against Muslims those who would sing this song.
Our Views:
(a) Tharoor, having a penchant for getting involved in controversy, has forgotten that the National Song has much high emotional and patriotic appeal than sports due to its role during the freedom movement.
(b) A different perspective which is more direct is that whether this song has any legal standing; if there is no law in its favor, then it can not be imposed on people. Anyway, the new generation of today does not understand what’s all this fuss about? Lets not waste time arguing in the present for something of the past.