New Delhi, July 30, 2026 : Parliament on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making insulting the national song “Vande Mataram” a punishable offence under law.
The legislation was cleared after the Lok Sabha passed the Bill amid noisy scenes and brief debate, following its approval in the Rajya Sabha.
Vande Mataram Gets Legal Protection
The Central Government said the amendment grants “Vande Mataram” legal protection on par with the National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.”
With the passage of the Bill, any act deemed to be an intentional insult or disrespect towards the national song will now attract penal provisions under the amended law.
Brief Debate in Lok Sabha
The Bill was discussed briefly in the Lok Sabha, with only two Members of Parliament participating before it was passed amid opposition protests and disruptions.
Government Defends the Legislation
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityananda Rai said the amendment was aimed at according Vande Mataram the honour and legal protection it deserves.
During his speech, Rai also criticised the Congress, alleging that during its decades in power it failed to give the national song the respect it merited and instead pursued what he described as appeasement politics.
Objective of the Amendment
According to the government, the amendment seeks to:
- Grant Vande Mataram legal status comparable to the National Anthem.
- Make intentional insults to the national song a criminal offence.
- Strengthen legal safeguards for national symbols and promote respect for India’s national heritage.
The Bill has now been passed by both Houses of Parliament and will become law after receiving the President’s assent.
