President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday gave her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, giving the national song Vande Mataram the same legal protection as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
The Bill was passed by Parliament last month and amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. With the President’s approval, the legislation has now become law.
Under the amended law, anyone who intentionally prevents the singing of Vande Mataram or disrupts an assembly where the national song is being sung can face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
Law Previously Protected Only National Anthem
The earlier law specifically prohibited people from intentionally stopping the singing of Jana Gana Mana or disrupting an assembly engaged in singing the national anthem. However, it did not provide the same statutory protection to Vande Mataram.
The amendment seeks to address this gap by bringing the national song under the same legal provision.
The Bill stated that there was previously “no specific legal provision” to prevent insults or disruption during the singing of Vande Mataram. It said the amendment was intended to make such actions punishable under Section 3 of the Act.
The legislation also referred to the historical importance of the song in India’s freedom struggle.
Vande Mataram to Be Sung at Red Fort
The President’s assent comes days before Independence Day, with the Union Home Ministry announcing new protocols for the national song.
For the first time, Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort during the Independence Day function this year.
Earlier, the Home Ministry had directed that when Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed together, the national song should be sung or played first.
The ministry’s January 28 order also prescribed the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, with a duration of around three minutes and 10 seconds, at specified official functions.
“When the national song and the national anthem are sung or played, the national song will be sung or played first,” the order said.
Schools Asked to Begin Day With National Song
The Home Ministry’s guidelines also stated that schools should begin the day’s activities with the community singing of Vande Mataram.
The guidelines further said that audiences should stand at attention when the national song is being sung.
The government has said the measures are aimed at reinforcing respect for national symbols and recognising the historical role of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom movement.
