Parliament passes Bill granting Vande Mataram same status as National Anthem
Parliament has approved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends legal protection currently available to the national anthem to the national song, Vande Mataram.
The Lok Sabha passed the legislation by voice vote amid protests from Opposition members. Under the amendment, intentionally insulting or disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram will attract the same penalties that apply to offences involving the national anthem, including imprisonment of up to three years, a fine or both. Repeat offences carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai said the legislation gives the national song the recognition it deserves and accused previous Congress governments of failing to accord it adequate respect. He also called for all six stanzas of Vande Mataram to be embraced in the spirit of national unity.
The Opposition opposed the measure. DMK MP Kanimozhi argued that the Bill promoted a Hindutva agenda under the guise of nationalism and said making all six stanzas compulsory would undermine secular values and federal principles. BJP MP Sambit Patra defended the legislation, saying earlier governments had neglected the national song.
Following the Bill’s passage, DMK MP A. Raja protested inside the House by tearing documents and throwing them towards the Well. The Lok Sabha was later adjourned amid continued sloganeering.
The legislation became the first Bill to be approved by both Houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session, which has otherwise seen repeated disruptions over the NEET paper leak issue.