Lok Sabha Passes Vande Mataram Bill, Giving National Song Equal Legal Protection as National Anthem: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for granting Vande Mataram, India’s National Song, the same statutory protection that is currently available to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The legislation was approved through a voice vote after a brief discussion and now awaits the President’s assent, having already been cleared by the Rajya Sabha a day earlier.
What the Bill Changes
The amendment expands the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by bringing Vande Mataram under its protection. Until now, the Act primarily dealt with offences involving disrespect to the National Flag and the National Anthem. Once the amendment becomes law, deliberate acts of insulting, obstructing, or intentionally disrupting the singing or rendition of Vande Mataram will attract the same legal consequences that currently apply to disrespect shown towards the National Anthem.
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Penalties for Violations
Under the amended law, anyone found guilty of intentionally insulting or disrupting the National Song may face:
- Imprisonment of up to three years,
- A fine, or
- Both imprisonment and fine, depending on the nature of the offence.
Government’s Position
The Union government has maintained that the legislation fulfills the long-standing recognition accorded to Vande Mataram by the Constituent Assembly in 1950, which stated that the National Song should enjoy equal honour alongside the National Anthem. According to the government, the amendment provides statutory backing to that principle and reinforces respect for one of India’s most significant national symbols.
Opposition Response
The Bill’s passage took place amid protests by Opposition members. While the legislation itself was debated briefly, parliamentary proceedings were marked by political disagreements over unrelated issues, resulting in disruptions before the Bill was eventually approved through a voice vote.
Significance of the Legislation
The amendment represents a major change in India’s national honour laws. For the first time, Vande Mataram will receive explicit statutory protection on par with the National Anthem. The government says the move is intended to preserve the dignity and historical importance of the National Song, which played a prominent role during India’s freedom movement.