- Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- The amendment extends legal protection to Vande Mataram, placing it on par with the National Anthem under the Act.
- Deliberately disrupting the singing of the National Song or National Anthem can attract up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.
NEW DELHI: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29, 2026, marking a significant amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the legislation extends statutory protection to Vande Mataram, India’s National Song, bringing it under the same legal framework that already applies to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The amendment seeks to address the absence of explicit penal provisions protecting the National Song under the existing law while reinforcing the legal status of one of India’s most significant national symbols.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Brings National Song Under 1971 Act
The amendment replaces Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to provide equal legal protection to both the National Anthem and the National Song.
Under the revised provision, it becomes an offence to:
- Deliberately prevent the singing of the National Anthem or National Song.
- Intentionally disrupt a gathering where either is being sung.
Those found guilty may face:
- Imprisonment for up to three years.
- A monetary fine.
- Or both imprisonment and a fine.
The government said the amendment removes a long-standing gap in the law by extending statutory safeguards to Vande Mataram.
Historical Context and Purpose of the Amendment
The legislation refers to the assurance made by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950, that Vande Mataram would enjoy equal honour and status with Jana Gana Mana.
It also recalls the historical significance of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s composition, first published in the novel Anandamath, and its role in inspiring India’s freedom movement.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Rekindles Constitutional Debate
The passage of the Vande Mataram Bill 2026 formally extends statutory protection to the National Song under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. While supporters view the amendment as strengthening respect for national symbols, the legislation is also expected to generate discussion on the balance between legal protections for national honour and the freedoms guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution.
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