The Lok Sabha passed the Vande Mataram Bill on Thursday, granting the national song legal protection and criminalizing insults toward it.
This legislation elevates the status of the national song to be on par with the national anthem. By doing so, the Indian government seeks to deter public disrespect and establish a legal framework for the song's protection.
The bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 [3]. Under the new provisions, insulting Vande Mataram is now a criminal offense. The move aims to extend the same legal safeguards to the song that previously applied only to the national anthem.
Passing the measure occurred on the ninth day [2] of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi. The Lok Sabha approval follows a vote in the Rajya Sabha, which approved the bill on July 29, 2026 [1].
The legislative process was marked by significant tension. Opposition parties, including the DMK, protested the bill during the proceedings. Despite the uproar from the INDIA bloc, the lower house cleared the legislation to finalize its passage through Parliament.
The government said the intent of the law is to prevent insults to the national song and ensure it receives the honor befitting its cultural and national importance.
“Insulting Vande Mataram is now a criminal offense.”
The passage of this bill represents a significant shift in India's legal approach to national symbols. By integrating Vande Mataram into the 1971 Act, the state has expanded the scope of what constitutes a criminal insult to national honor, potentially increasing the legal risks for political dissent or artistic expression that challenges the song's usage.
