New Delhi: Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by a voice vote, extending the same legal protection to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ as is granted to the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’. Under this, insulting or showing disrespect to Vande Mataram will now be a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment of up to three years.
The bill was passed by the House amid Opposition chaos and a walkout, as members demanded a reply from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over police action against protesters in Delhi related to the NEET exam paper leak. As soon as the House met for the afternoon session, Opposition members stormed the well of the House and intensified their protest with slogan-shouting.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh appealed to the members to cooperate with House proceedings and participate in the debate, but they continued their protest. Subsequently, as Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale was speaking on the legislation, the Opposition parties staged a walkout en masse from the House.
Replying to the debate, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai sharply criticized the Opposition’s stance. He accused the Congress of attempting to insult ‘Vande Mataram’, the pride of the nation, for the sake of appeasement politics. He recalled that ‘Vande Mataram’ was the dying utterance of numerous freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for independent India.
“I fail to understand Congress’s opposition to Vande Mataram. The youth of the country are watching all this, and in the coming days, the people will give them a fitting reply. Vande Mataram is essential for achieving the goal of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’,” Nityanand Rai stated.
Through the new amendment act, the government aims to ensure full legal protection and respect for the national song Vande Mataram, on par with the national flag, the Constitution, and the national anthem. The bill was introduced in Parliament on July 24 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram.
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