The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making insult or disrespect towards the national song 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offence. The legislation was approved through a voice vote despite persistent protests by Opposition members. Once enacted, the bill will extend statutory protection to Vande Mataram on par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, marking a significant change in India's legal framework governing national symbols.
The House witnessed repeated disruptions during the post-lunch session as Opposition MPs demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police action against protesters demonstrating over the alleged NEET paper leak in the national capital. Despite the sloganeering, Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged members to maintain order and proceeded with the scheduled discussion on the bill. The Opposition later staged a walkout while Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was addressing the House.
Replying to the debate, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai defended the legislation and accused the Congress of attempting to undermine the country's honour through what he described as appeasement politics. Rai highlighted the historical significance of Vande Mataram, recalling that several freedom fighters had invoked the song as their final words before sacrificing their lives during India's struggle for independence. He also said the national song remains an important symbol of unity and the vision of "Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat."
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The amendment expands the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act by bringing Vande Mataram under its legal protection alongside other national symbols such as the national flag, the Constitution, and the national anthem. Under the proposed law, acts of desecration, insult, or deliberate disrespect towards these protected national symbols could attract a punishment of up to three years' imprisonment, reinforcing the government's stated objective of preserving national honour.
The bill was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24 and comes amid the government's year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The legislation now moves forward in the parliamentary process after clearing the Upper House. The government has maintained that the amendment is intended to strengthen respect for national symbols, while the bill's passage during Opposition protests underscored the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the proceedings.
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