The Indian government is proposing to grant the national song, Vande Mataram, the same legal protection as the national anthem [1].
This legislative shift would elevate the status of the song by making any insults, disruptions, or obstructions during its performance a criminal offense. By placing Vande Mataram on equal statutory footing with the national anthem, the government aims to ensure a standardized level of respect and legal recourse for the national symbol [2].
The Cabinet approved the proposal on Tuesday following the election results in West Bengal [3]. The move involves amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 [1]. Under the proposed changes, individuals found insulting, disrupting, or obstructing the singing of Vande Mataram could face up to three years in jail, a fine, or both [4].
The proposal comes amid ongoing political debates regarding the song's role in public life, specifically within schools. While the central government seeks national uniformity in legal protection, the issue has seen varying levels of tension in states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu [5].
Currently, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act provides strict protections for the national anthem. The new amendment would extend these specific penalties to Vande Mataram to prevent perceived disrespect during official or public gatherings [2]. The government has not yet specified the exact timeline for the bill's introduction in parliament, but the Cabinet's approval marks the first formal step toward statutory change [3].
“The national song Vande Mataram would receive the same legal protection as the national anthem.”
This move signals a push by the central government to codify national identity and patriotism through legal mandates. By criminalizing the disruption of Vande Mataram, the state is narrowing the gap between the national anthem and the national song, which may increase legal friction in states where the song's mandatory use in schools remains a point of political and ideological contention.
