RS Passes National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 To Give Vande Mataram Statutory Protection

 

Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill will further amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The proposed legislation seeks to give Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. These offences are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both.

Replying to a discussion on the Bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said, the amendment in the Bill is not merely a legislative change. He said, it reflects the collective commitment to the soul of India, national consciousness, cultural heritage, and the ideals of the freedom struggle.

 

The Minister said, in 1971, through the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, provisions were made to ensure respect for the National Flag, the Constitution, and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Mr Rai said, the deliberate insult of Vande Mataram will be punishable in the same manner as provided under the existing law. The National Song Vande Mataram was composed in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The Minister claimed that in 1935, when Jawaharlal Nehru became the President of the Congress, he limited Vande Mataram to only two stanzas. On the other hand, in 1928, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was Congress President, he requested Timir Baran Banerjee to prepare a complete and dignified musical version of the song. He said, on 15th August 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had asked Pandit Omkarnath Thakur to render the complete Vande Mataram on All India Radio at 6:30 in the morning, marking the beginning of the first Independence Day.

       

The Minister said, on 24th January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad stated in the Constituent Assembly that Vande Mataram, which holds historic importance in India’s freedom struggle, would be accorded the same respect as Jana Gana Mana. Mr Rai said opposing Vande Mataram reflects a policy of appeasement that undermines the nation’s pride.

 

Earlier, initiating the discussion, BJP MP Dr Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said that for the past 123 years, Vande Mataram song had been disrespected. He stated that inspired by this song, the revolutionaries of the country made sacrifices for the nation. Mr Agrawal alleged that in 1923, during a Congress session, the then President of the Congress had insulted Vande Mataram.

Golla Baburao of YSRCP requested all the Members of this House to uphold and respect the national song. He expressed his gratitude to the Government for introducing this Bill. Mr Baburao said that Vande Mataram is not just a song, but a source of inspiration that motivated countless freedom fighters to sacrifice their lives for the nation. He said, the spirit generated by this song played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence. Sulata Deo of BJD, Sanjay Singh of AAP, Dr M Thambidurai of AIADMK, among others, participated in the discussion.

 

After the passing of the Bill, the Upper House took up Special Mentions, where Members raised issues of urgent importance. After that, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 AM tomorrow.