The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to make the intentional insult of the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The bill, which was introduced in the Upper House by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on July 24, was taken up for discussion and passed after a debate marked by disruptions from the Opposition.
Opposition members raised slogans and demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged use of police force against protesters demonstrating against the NEET paper leak in the national capital. The Opposition later staged a walkout during the discussion on the bill.
The proposed amendment expands the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by bringing within its ambit acts such as intentionally obstructing the rendition of Vande Mataram or creating disturbances during its singing.
The legislation also aims to strengthen legal protection for India’s national symbols. It proposes to treat acts of desecration or disrespect towards the national flag, the Constitution, the national anthem, and the national song as criminal offences, punishable with imprisonment of up to three years.