The Union Cabinet of India plans to make insulting or deliberately disrupting the national song “Vande Mataram” a punishable offense.
This move elevates the legal status of the national song to match that of the national anthem. By amending existing laws, the government seeks to curb public disruptions and ensure the song receives the same legal protections as other national symbols.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Union Cabinet meeting in New Delhi where the proposal was discussed. The government intends to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 [1]. This specific legislation currently governs how national symbols are treated to prevent desecration and disrespect.
Under the proposed changes, individuals who insult or deliberately disrupt the national song could face significant legal consequences. The amendment suggests that violators could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison [1].
The government expects to introduce the bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament [1, 2]. The measure is designed to provide a legal deterrent against those who would intentionally interfere with the performance or honor of the song.
The proposal aligns the penalties for Vande Mataram with those already established for the national anthem. This ensures a uniform legal framework for the protection of India's primary national auditory symbols [2].
“Insulting or deliberately disrupting the national song “Vande Mataram” becomes a punishable offence”
This legislative shift signals a tightening of state control over expressions of national identity. By codifying the respect for Vande Mataram into criminal law, the Indian government is expanding the scope of the 1971 Act to include a song that has historically been a point of both intense patriotism and political contention.
