Shashi Tharoor: “Please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do.”

I can understand singing it once during ceremonial occasions involving the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister. But singing the entire song twice during a short programme is difficult to understand.

That’s where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death.

The government, which is headed by Prime Minister Modi, has an overall responsibility. This must never happen again. This is not the first time, but it must be the last time.

It may ultimately have to be adjudicated because there is no law passed by Parliament requiring this. It is more a matter of convention.