The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes extending the same legal protection to the National Song Vande Mataram that is currently available to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The Bill seeks to amend Section 3 of the 1971 Act to make it an offence to intentionally prevent the singing of Vande Mataram or cause disruption to any gathering engaged in singing the National Song.
The proposed amendment addresses the absence of a specific legal provision safeguarding Vande Mataram. It refers to the Constituent Assembly proceedings of 24 January 1950, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad highlighted the historic significance of the song in India’s freedom struggle and stated that it should be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana.
Under the amended provision, any person who deliberately interrupts the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or disturbs an assembly during such singing, will face legal action. The existing punishment of imprisonment up to three years, fine, or both will remain unchanged.
The provision related to repeat offences under Section 3A, which provides a minimum one-year imprisonment for subsequent convictions, will also continue to apply. Repeat offenders who disrupt the singing of Vande Mataram will also come under this enhanced penalty framework.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Vande Mataram was first published in Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875 and later included in the novel Anandamath in 1882. Rabindranath Tagore set the song to music and presented it at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta.
The song became a powerful symbol of India’s freedom movement and was widely used during the Swadeshi movement in 1905. On 24 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad stated that Vande Mataram should be given equal honour with Jana Gana Mana.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, enacted on 23 December 1971, currently provides legal protection to the Indian National Flag, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem. The proposed amendment aims to bring the National Song within the same legal framework, further strengthening respect for India’s national symbols.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
