Vande Mataram Bill / Parliament Passes Bill Granting Vande Mataram Same Statutory Protection As National Anthem

New Delhi, Jul 30: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, granting Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. The Bill, already approved by the Rajya Sabha, was cleared by a voice vote amid noisy protests from the Opposition.

The legislation makes intentional disruption or prevention of singing the national song a criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai moved the Bill, describing it as a matter of national pride and a step towards the vision of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.

The debate in the Lok Sabha was marked by ruckus, with Opposition members demanding answers over alleged police excesses during the NEET paper leak protests. DMK MPs voiced strong opposition, arguing that the Bill was being imposed against people’s will and could polarise society. Kanimozhi said the country’s forefathers had wisely adopted only two stanzas of the national song, accusing the government of weaponising legislation for political ends.

Defending the Bill, BJP MP Sambit Patra said Parliament had already held marathon debates on Vande Mataram and the legislation now provides long-awaited legal sanctity. He accused the Congress of delaying statutory protection for decades, adding that the measure would ensure equal reverence for both the national anthem and the national song.
Also Read: RS Passes National Honour (Amendment) Bill To Make Insulting Vande Mataram Criminal Offence

Nityanand Rai further alleged that the truncated version of Vande Mataram was adopted under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership to serve appeasement politics, stressing the need for course correction. He said the Bill would strengthen national unity and pride.

With both Houses clearing the legislation, the Bill now awaits Presidential assent to become law. Once enacted, any insult or obstruction of Vande Mataram will invite legal action, placing the national song on par with the anthem in terms of statutory protection.