Rajya Sabha passes Vande Mataram bill amid opposition walkout
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing jail time for disrupting Vande Mataram. The opposition walked out demanding a statement on police action against NEET paper leak protesters. The bill now awaits Lok Sabha approval.
Background
Vande Mataram is India's national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, originally covered the national flag, constitution, and anthem. This amendment extends similar protection to the national song.
Key facts
Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill on July 30, 2026.
The bill proposes up to three years imprisonment and/or fine for preventing or disturbing the rendition of Vande Mataram.
Opposition MPs (Congress, TMC, DMK, RJD, Left, Sena UBT) walked out demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on police action against NEET paper leak protesters.
Junior Home Minister Nityanand Rai piloted the bill; he criticized Congress for undermining Vande Mataram and linked it to appeasement.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh did not walk out and questioned RSS's refusal to hoist the tricolour for 52 years.
AIADMK MPs criticized the practice in Tamil Nadu of playing the state anthem after the national song and anthem.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha argued that reverence cannot be legislated.
The bill is a home ministry bill but was not piloted by Amit Shah.
Prelims pointers
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- Vande Mataram – national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Rajya Sabha – upper house of Parliament
- Monsoon Session of Parliament
- Home Ministry – ministry responsible for the bill
- Nityanand Rai – junior home minister
- Harivansh – Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Parliament – legislative process, role of opposition, walkout as a protest tool
- GS2 Polity: National symbols – legal protection, debate on reverence vs. criminalization
- GS2 Polity: Centre-state relations – state anthem practice in Tamil Nadu
- GS1 History: Vande Mataram – historical significance and controversy