India's Parliament passes bill criminalising insults to Vande Mataram
The Rajya Sabha approved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 29 July 2026, extending the 1971 Act to cover the national song Vande Mataram. The Lok Sabha passed the same amendment on 30 July 2026, completing bicameral approval. The amendment makes intentional obstruction or disruption of Vande Mataram's singing a criminal offence punishable by up to three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, placing the song on par with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. The government said the change fulfills the Constituent Assembly's 1950 decision to honour Vande Mataram equally, while opposition members staged protests and a voice vote was used for passage. With both houses clearing the bill, it now moves to the next stage before becoming law.
Entities: Lok Sabha · Nityananda Rai · Rajya Sabha · Republic of India · Vande Mataram
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The amendment adds the national song Vande Mataram to the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. (Bill content)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Lok Sabha passed the same amendment on 30 July 2026. (Lok Sabha pass)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment makes intentional obstruction or disruption of Vande Mataram singing a criminal offence punishable by up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both. (Penalty provision)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment extends legal protection previously limited to the national flag, constitution, and national anthem to also include Vande Mataram. (Scope expansion)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government argues the amendment fulfills the Constituent Assembly's 1950 decision to honour Vande Mataram equally with the national anthem. (Government rationale)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The bill was passed amid opposition protests and a voice vote was used for its passage. (Parliamentary procedure)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] After clearing both houses, the bill moves to the next stage before becoming law. (Legislative process)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 29 July 2026. (Rajya Sabha pass)