Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will introduce National Honour ( Amendment) Bill, 2026, tomorrow in Rajya Sabha, it’s part of the government’s broader efforts to reinforce respect for national symbols.
The Bills seeks to extend legal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram, by bringing it under the ambit of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The proposed legislation seeks to make it a punishable offence to intentionally prevent the singing of Vande Mataram or disturb any gathering engaged in its rendition, placing it on par with the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Offenders may face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
At present, Section 3 of the 1971 Act penalises only those who intentionally prevent the singing of the National Anthem or disrupt assemblies during its performance. The amendment proposes substituting the existing provision to include the National Song as well.
The Bill notes that Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle. It also recalls that Constituent Assembly President Dr. Rajendra Prasad had, on January 24, 1950, stated that Vande Mataram would be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and accorded equal status.
“Presently, there is no specific legal provision to prevent insults to the singing of Vande Mataram,” the government said, adding that the amendment seeks to fill this legal gap.