New Delhi, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending legal protection to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ by making its intentional insult or deliberate obstruction of its rendition a punishable offence.
The amendment brings ‘Vande Mataram’ under the ambit of the 1971 Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which already provides legal protection to the National Flag, the Constitution and the National Anthem.
Under the amended provisions, any deliberate act of insulting the national song, obstructing its singing or engaging in conduct considered contrary to its honour may invite criminal liability, including imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The Bill was passed amid protests by Opposition members, who later staged a walkout during the proceedings.
The legislation also highlights the rendition of all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’. The development follows a recent Home Ministry directive asking states to ensure the national song is played or sung at official events, particularly occasions where the National Anthem is performed.
According to the directive, when both the national song and national anthem are rendered at an event, ‘Vande Mataram’ should be performed first and participants should stand in attention during its rendition.
The government has said the amendment is aimed at preserving the dignity of a song that played a significant role in India’s freedom movement. It has maintained that ‘Vande Mataram’ was accorded equal status with the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, enacted in 1971, was originally designed to safeguard the country’s key national symbols by penalising intentional acts of disrespect or obstruction related to the National Flag, Constitution and National Anthem.
The latest amendment expands the scope of the law by adding the National Song to the list of protected symbols.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and later included in his novel Anandamath, ‘Vande Mataram’ became a prominent symbol of India’s freedom struggle and national identity.
The passage of the Bill comes as the country marks 150 years since the composition of ‘Vande Mataram’, with several programmes being organised to commemorate its historical significance.
The legislation is also expected to lead to debate over the interpretation of terms such as “insult” and “obstruction”, including whether a distinction will be maintained between deliberate disruption and an individual’s decision not to participate in the singing of the national song.
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