The proposed legislation aims to extend the same legal and statutory protection to the national song – Vande Mataram – which is presently accorded to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Image: IANS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, July 20, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The proposed legislation aims to extend the same legal and statutory protection to the national song – Vande Mataram – which is presently accorded to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, IANS reported.
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Once enacted, the Bill will amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and make insulting Vande Mataram a punishable offence. Ultimately, it will bring it on par with the National Anthem in terms of legal safeguards.
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Under the proposed law, if an individual is found guilty of intentionally insulting or obstructing the singing of the National Song, they could face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
Currently, the law mandates respect for the National Anthem and requires people to stand during its rendition and prohibiting acts of insult or disruption.
The proposed amendment looks forward to extend identical statutory protections to Vande Mataram.
After the Bill gets passed by both Houses of Parliament, insulting Vande Mataram will become a criminal offence in the country. This will place the National Song under the same legal framework that protects other national symbols, including the National Anthem, the National Flag and the Constitution.
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