The Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Thursday, July 30 [1].
The legislation elevates the legal status of the national song, "Vande Mataram," to match the statutory protections already afforded to the national anthem. This move ensures that any deliberate act of disrespect toward the song is treated as a criminal offense.
Under the new law, individuals who deliberately insult the national song face penalties including imprisonment for up to three years [1], a fine, or both [2]. The bill was approved in the lower house of the Indian Parliament in New Delhi following a brief debate held amid significant noise in the chamber [2].
The passage in the Lok Sabha follows a prior approval by the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, which occurred one day earlier [1]. The amendment aims to prevent the deliberate disrespect of a national symbol by providing a clear legal framework for prosecution [3].
Lawmakers listed the bill for consideration during the Parliament's monsoon session to ensure the national song received the same level of protection as other national honors [3]. The bill now moves toward final implementation as a statutory requirement for all citizens.
“The legislation elevates the legal status of the national song, "Vande Mataram," to match the statutory protections already afforded to the national anthem.”
This legislative change closes a legal gap between the national anthem and the national song in India. By introducing criminal penalties, the state is formalizing the symbolic importance of Vande Mataram, potentially increasing the legal risks for political protests or public expressions that the government deems disrespectful to national symbols.
