The Central government introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha, proposing a punishment of up to three years' imprisonment for anyone who intentionally disrupts the singing of the national song Vande Mataram.

The Bill was introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and aims to give Vande Mataram the same legal protection that is currently available to the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.

Under the proposed amendment, Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 will be revised. At present, the law only penalises those who intentionally prevent or disturb the singing of the national anthem. The new Bill extends the same protection to Vande Mataram, making any intentional disruption or obstruction during its singing punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

According to the statement of objects and reasons attached to the Bill, the move is based on the decision taken by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950. On that day, Assembly President Dr. Rajendra Prasad stated that Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, would be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and given equal status.

The government noted that while the national anthem already enjoys legal protection, no similar provision exists for the national song. The proposed amendment seeks to bridge that gap.

The Bill has been introduced during the year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The song was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876, later published in his novel Anandamath in 1882, and was officially adopted as India's national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.