New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on Monday during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The proposed legislation seeks to extend legal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram, by bringing it under the ambit of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
If enacted, the amendment will make it a punishable offence to intentionally prevent the singing of Vande Mataram or disrupt any gathering engaged in its rendition. Violators could face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both—placing the National Song on the same legal footing as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
At present, Section 3 of the 1971 Act penalises only those who intentionally prevent the singing of the National Anthem or disturb an assembly during its performance. The proposed amendment seeks to expand the scope of the law to include Vande Mataram.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the Bill, Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement and has long held a place of national importance.
The Bill also cites a statement made by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950, affirming that Vande Mataram would be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and accorded equal status.
The government has argued that despite the National Song’s historical and constitutional significance, there is no specific legal provision penalising insults or disruption during its rendition. The proposed amendment seeks to address this gap by extending the protections already available to the National Anthem.
The legislative proposal follows a July 9 directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, asking states to ensure that whenever both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed at official government functions, the National Song is rendered before the National Anthem.
The Bill is expected to be taken up for discussion during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
