The Central Government has taken a significant step to bolster the legal protection for India’s national song, Vande Mataram. On July 24, a bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, proposing a stringent 3-year prison sentence for those found guilty of disrupting its singing. This legislative move aims to extend the statutory safeguards currently provided to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, to the national song.
Amendment to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
The proposed legislation, titled the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The current law penalizes individuals who intentionally interfere with or cause disturbances during the singing of the national anthem. The amendment intends to include Vande Mataram under this protective clause, thereby subjecting it to the same legal repercussions.
Under the terms of this new bill, anyone who intentionally prevents the singing of Vande Mataram or disrupts any assembly engaged in its rendition could face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
Historical Significance and Rationale
The bill’s statement of objects and reasons highlights the historical context surrounding Vande Mataram’s recognition. During a Constituent Assembly session on January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the assembly president, acknowledged that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s composition would receive equal honor alongside the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, thereby granting it equal status.
Despite this declaration, there has been a conspicuous absence of a specific legal framework offering protection to the singing of Vande Mataram, akin to that of the national anthem. The proposed amendment aims to rectify this legislative gap.
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Commemorating Vande Mataram’s Legacy
The introduction of this bill aligns with the ongoing celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876 and later included in his novel Anandamath in 1882, Vande Mataram was adopted as India’s national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
This legislative proposal underscores the government’s commitment to preserving the sanctity and reverence associated with Vande Mataram, ensuring its protection under the law.
