Vande Mataram Bill Passes Parliament Amid Opposition Protests
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which makes insulting the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence, was passed by Lok Sabha on July 30, 2026. The Bill extends legal protection to Vande Mataram similar to that of the national anthem, sparking heated exchanges between ruling and opposition parties in Parliament.
Background
The national song 'Vande Mataram' was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and has been a symbol of India's freedom struggle. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 originally covered the national flag and anthem; this amendment adds the national song to its purview.
Key facts
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by Lok Sabha via voice vote.
The Bill makes insulting Vande Mataram a criminal offence with punishment up to three years imprisonment, fine, or both.
Repeat offenders face a minimum jail term of one year.
The Bill extends to Vande Mataram the same legal protection already available to the national anthem.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai accused Congress of not respecting the national song and said the Modi government is restoring its rightful place.
DMK MP Kanimozhi opposed the Bill, calling it a 'Hindutva' move.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed a clash between LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the House J P Nadda over the NEET paper leak and police action against students.
Opposition demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over alleged excessive force against student protesters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review India's preparedness amid the West Asia crisis.
The government stated there is no shortage of fuel, fertilisers, or other essential supplies.
Prelims pointers
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- Vande Mataram – national song of India
- Jana Gana Mana – national anthem of India
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay – writer of Vande Mataram
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – houses of Parliament
- Voice vote – method of voting in Parliament
- NEET – National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
- West Asia crisis – geopolitical context
Mains angles
- GS2: Parliament – legislative process, amendments to existing laws, role of opposition
- GS2: Polity – national symbols and their legal protection, secularism vs majoritarianism
- GS2: Governance – criminalization of speech, balance between national honour and freedom of expression