Vande Mataram – Parliament to Consider Bill Granting National Song Equal Legal Protection
Vande Mataram –Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, marking one of the key legislative proposals on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The proposed amendment aims to extend the same legal safeguards available to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, to the National Song, Vande Mataram.
Proposed Amendment to the 1971 Law
The Bill seeks to revise the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which currently provides legal protection to India’s National Flag, the Constitution and the National Anthem. At present, the Act treats the deliberate interruption, obstruction or disrespect of the National Anthem as a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment of up to three years. The latest proposal would include Vande Mataram within the same legal framework.
Equal Legal Status for the National Song
If the amendment receives parliamentary approval, any intentional act that prevents, interrupts or insults the singing of Vande Mataram would attract the same penalties already applicable to offences involving the National Anthem. The legislation also covers situations where an individual deliberately disturbs or disrupts a gathering during the rendition of the National Song, making such actions punishable under the amended law.
Objective Behind the Legislative Move
The government has stated that the purpose of the amendment is to provide Vande Mataram with statutory protection similar to that enjoyed by Jana Gana Mana. Although Vande Mataram has long held official recognition as India’s National Song, it has not been covered by the specific legal safeguards available under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The proposed change is intended to remove that distinction by placing both national symbols under the same legal provisions.
Recent Home Ministry Directive
The introduction of the Bill follows a recent directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. In that communication, all state governments were instructed to ensure that whenever both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed during official government functions, the National Song should be played before the National Anthem. The advisory called for strict compliance with this protocol across government events.
Parliamentary Process Ahead
The amendment has been included in the Rajya Sabha’s business for Monday’s sitting. Following its introduction, the Bill will undergo the usual parliamentary process, including discussion and consideration by both Houses of Parliament. If it is approved by the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, and subsequently receives the President’s assent, the proposed changes will become part of Indian law.
Once enacted, the amendment would make the intentional insult, obstruction or disruption of Vande Mataram a criminal offence carrying a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment, placing the National Song on the same statutory footing as the National Anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.