The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a proposed law that seeks to extend legal protection to the national song “Vande Mataram”. The Bill provides for a punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both for intentionally insulting the national song or deliberately disrupting its singing.
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Rajya Sabha Passes Vande Mataram Bill
The legislation aims to place Vande Mataram on the same legal footing as the National Anthem and the National Flag under the existing Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. If enacted after approval by the Lok Sabha and Presidential assent, intentional acts of disrespect or obstruction during the singing of the national song would become criminal offences.
Proposal Seeks Up to 3 Years’ Jail for Insulting National Song
The Bill was passed in the Upper House by a voice vote amid protests from opposition parties, several of which staged a walkout over unrelated political issues. Despite the disruptions, the government argued that the legislation is intended to safeguard a symbol that played a significant role in India’s freedom movement and deserves statutory protection.
The proposed amendment does not make singing Vande Mataram compulsory. Instead, it focuses on penalising deliberate insult or intentional disruption of its rendition, similar to the existing provisions that protect the National Anthem. The Bill will now move to the Lok Sabha for consideration before it can become law.
