Parliament on Wednesday cleared a bill criminalizing insults to the national song Vande Mataram, with the Lok Sabha passing the legislation after a brief debate amid significant uproar in the House.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, had been passed by the Rajya Sabha a day earlier. Following its approval in the Lower House, the proposed amendment is now closer to becoming law.
In the Lok Sabha, the bill was taken up for consideration and passed by a voice vote amid vociferous protests by Opposition members. The opposition had been demanding a discussion on police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak. The noisy scenes persisted even as the House continued with its legislative agenda.
The legislation seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by bringing the national song Vande Mataram within its scope.
At present, the Act provides penal provisions for acts of disrespect towards national symbols, including the Constitution, the national flag, and the national anthem, with punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment. Once the amendment comes into force, any act of insulting, obstructing, or causing disturbance during the singing of Vande Mataram will attract the same punishment, imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The bill forms part of the Central government’s efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, the song was first published in his novel Anandmath in 1882. In recent months, the Union government has directed states to ensure the rendition of the national song at official functions.
The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29 after a debate marked by sharp exchanges between the ruling side and the Opposition. Members of the Congress and other Opposition parties staged a walkout during the discussion.
Replying to the debate in the Upper House, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the bill aimed to protect the country’s honour and cultural heritage. He described Vande Mataram as a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and national consciousness.
Several members from across parties participated in the discussion. While some supported stronger legal provisions to prevent disrespect to national symbols, others expressed concerns about the need for wider consensus and adequate debate.
The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24 and passed on July 29. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on July 30. Its passage occurred amid persistent disruptions in both Houses over the NEET paper leak issue, which has stalled parliamentary proceedings for more than a week.
Bureau Report
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