Bill to Criminalise Insults to Vande Mataram Introduced in Rajya Sabha
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2026, seeking to bring insults to or obstruction of the singing of the national song Vande Mataram within the ambit of criminal law. The Bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which makes disrespect towards national symbols — including the national flag, the Constitution and the national anthem — an offence punishable with up to three years' imprisonment. The proposal would give Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. It comes amid year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The Statement of Objects and Reasons cites Constituent Assembly President Rajendra Prasad's statement of 24 January 1950 that Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall have the same status as the national anthem. CPI(M) leader John Brittas gave notice under Rule 67 objecting to the introduction.
Key Facts & Details
11 points- 1The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
- 2It was moved by MoS Home Nityanand Rai on 24 July 2026.
- 3It amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- 4The 1971 Act covers the national flag, the Constitution and the national anthem, with up to three years' imprisonment.
- 5The Bill gives Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the anthem Jana Gana Mana.
- 6It comes during the 150th anniversary year of Vande Mataram.
- 7The Objects and Reasons cite Rajendra Prasad's 24 January 1950 Constituent Assembly statement.
- 8CPI(M)'s John Brittas gave notice under Rule 67 opposing the introduction.
Deep Dive
- +Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- +Notices opposing the Bill also came from AA Rahim and V Sivadasan (CPM) and P Santhosh Kumar (CPI).
- +Opponents argued Parliament cannot rewrite a constitutional settlement through ordinary legislation.
Exam Focus
Which Act does the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seek to amend, and what protection does it extend?
Exam Relevance & Angle
National symbols, the 1971 national honour law and Vande Mataram's constitutional status are high-frequency polity topics, and the Bill's exact name is testable.
Target Exams
Background & Context
India distinguishes between its national anthem and its national song. Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore, is the national anthem and already carries legal protection under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, alongside the national flag and the Constitution. Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and central to the freedom movement, has been recognised as the national song with equal honour, but as a matter of Constituent Assembly declaration rather than statute — meaning insulting it was not itself a criminal offence. This Bill closes that gap. The dispute in the House was precisely about whether a declaration made in the Constituent Assembly can be converted into criminal liability by ordinary law.
Test Yourself
1 / 2The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to extend statutory protection to:
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