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 the same legal protection currently available to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, to the National Song, Vande Mataram, by amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
Insulting or disrupting rendition may attract up to three years’ jail
If passed, the amendment will make it a punishable offence to intentionally prevent the singing of Vande Mataram or disrupt any gathering engaged in its rendition.
The proposed law provides for punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, bringing the National Song under the same legal framework that currently protects the National Anthem.
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 amendment proposes expanding these provisions to include Vande Mataram.
Government cites historical significance
According to the Bill, Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, played a significant role in India’s freedom movement.
The legislation also refers to a statement made by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950, that Vande Mataram would be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and accorded equal status.
The government has argued that while the National Song enjoys constitutional and historical recognition, there is currently no specific legal provision penalising insults or disruption during its rendition. The amendment, it says, seeks to address that gap.
MHA directive on official functions
The legislative move follows a July 9 directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to states, instructing them to ensure that whenever both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed at official government functions, the National Song is played before the National Anthem.
The Bill is expected to be taken up for discussion during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
