The amendment extends legal protection to Vande Mataram under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act
Parliament on Wednesday cleared the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for making disrespect towards Vande Mataram a criminal offence once it receives the President’s assent.
The Lok Sabha passed the legislation through a voice vote amid repeated disruptions by Opposition members, a day after the Rajya Sabha approved the Bill following a heated debate.
Vande Mataram brought under national honour law
The amendment seeks to expand the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by explicitly including Vande Mataram among the protected national symbols.
At present, the law provides for imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both for acts deemed insulting to the Constitution, the National Flag and the National Anthem. The amended law will extend similar legal protection to the national song.
Lok Sabha passes Bill amid Opposition protests
The legislation was taken up amid continuous sloganeering by Opposition MPs, who demanded a discussion on the police action against students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
Despite the disruptions, the House proceeded with its legislative agenda and approved the Bill through a voice vote.
Heated debate in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha had cleared the Bill on Tuesday after an intense debate that witnessed sharp exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches. Several Opposition parties, including the Congress, staged a walkout during the proceedings.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the legislation aims to safeguard India’s honour and cultural heritage.
He described Vande Mataram as a timeless symbol of India’s freedom movement and national consciousness, stressing the need to extend statutory protection to the national song.
One step away from becoming law
Introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, the Bill was passed by the Upper House on July 29 and cleared by the Lok Sabha on July 30.
It will now be sent to the President for assent before becoming law.
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