The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a move that brings Vande Mataram closer to receiving legal protection similar to that accorded to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The Bill was approved through a voice vote after a brief debate and now awaits the President's assent to become law.

The legislation seeks to place the national song on the same legal footing as the national anthem. Once it comes into force, any intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of Vande Mataram could attract legal action under the amended law.

The Bill reached the Lok Sabha after securing approval in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

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The discussion on the Bill took place amid repeated disruptions in the House, with Opposition members raising slogans and demanding answers from the Centre over alleged police excesses during the students' protests against the NEET paper leak controversy.

Despite the noisy proceedings, the Lower House proceeded with the debate before clearing the legislation.

DMK opposes legislation

The DMK strongly opposed the Bill, arguing that it was being imposed on people and could deepen political divisions.

Party MP Kanimozhi said India's founding leaders had deliberately adopted only two stanzas of Vande Mataram and accused the Union government of using the legislation to further a divisive political agenda.

Calling the move undemocratic, she also questioned the decision to pass the Bill amid disruptions, urging the government to hear the concerns of all stakeholders.

BJP defends move as long-overdue

Defending the legislation, BJP MP Sambit Patra said Parliament had already held extensive discussions on Vande Mataram in the past and that the Bill was aimed at providing it with legal recognition and protection.

He argued that even decades after Independence, the national song had not received legal sanctity comparable to the national anthem. According to Patra, the legislation would ensure that citizens extend the same respect to both national symbols.

Government calls it a 'course correction'

Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, said that the Congress leadership under Jawaharlal Nehru had adopted the truncated version of the 'Vande Mataram' to further its politics of appeasement, and it was imperative to have course correction on the national song.

Describing the national song as a symbol of national pride, Rai said the legislation would strengthen the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'.

With both Houses of Parliament having approved the Bill, it is now awaiting the President's assent. Once signed into law, intentionally obstructing or preventing the singing of Vande Mataram will become a punishable offence under the amended legislation.

With IANS inputs