Insulting Vande Mataram may attract jail: Rajya Sabha clears amendment bill

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for extending legal protection to the national song 'Vande Mataram' by making its intentional insult a criminal offence punishable with up to three years' imprisonment.

The legislation was approved by a voice vote amid noisy scenes in the House, with Opposition parties staging a walkout over their demand for a discussion on police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak.

What does the bill propose?

The amendment seeks to expand the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which currently criminalises acts of disrespect towards India's national flag, the Constitution and the national anthem.

If the amendment completes the remaining legislative process and becomes law, 'Vande Mataram' will also receive statutory protection under the Act. Any intentional insult or act of disrespect towards the national song would attract the same punishment prescribed under the legislation — imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai described the amendment as a measure aimed at safeguarding India's national identity and the legacy of its freedom movement.

Calling the legislation more than an ordinary bill, Rai said Vande Mataram symbolises India's soul, national consciousness and cultural heritage. He recalled that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the song in 1875 and said it had inspired generations of freedom fighters during the struggle against British rule.

"Unfortunately, in 1937 Vande Mataram was limited to only two stanzas by (former Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehru," the Union Minister added.

The minister criticised the Congress for opposing the legislation, alleging that the party had adopted a policy of appeasement and questioning why it objected to extending legal protection to the national song. Respect for national symbols, he said, should remain above political differences.

Opposition walks out amid NEET protest row

The debate took place against the backdrop of continued Opposition protests over police action against students demonstrating over the alleged NEET paper leak.

After the House reconvened following multiple adjournments, Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged members to maintain order and allow legislative business to continue. Despite persistent sloganeering, he permitted discussion on the amendment bill.

Opposition members later walked out while Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was speaking, reiterating their demand that the government respond to the issue of police action against student protesters.

Participating in the discussion, BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal argued that Vande Mataram has been at the heart of India's freedom movement and deserved stronger legal protection.

Agrawal added that "for the last 123 years, Vande Mataram is being insulted in the country.”

Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Nagnath Waghmare criticised Opposition members for disrupting proceedings during her speech, while observing that many lawmakers could not sing it in its entirety.

Biju Janata Dal MP Sulata Deo proposed that the national song should be played in Parliament and state legislatures.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said his party believed that neither the national anthem nor Vande Mataram should be insulted.

With PTI inputs