3 years jail, fine or both: Bill to make insult to Vande Mataram a criminal offence passed in Rajya Sabha | What we know

If passed in the Lok Sabha, the bill will then be sent to the President for assent before being implemented as a law.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as the opposition staged a walkout. The bill, which moves to make insult or obstruction to the national song a criminal offence, will now be sent to the Lok Sabha for consideration.

If passed in the Lok Sabha, the bill will then be sent to the President for assent before being implemented as a law.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, commonly known as the 'Vande Mataram' bill, will extend statutory protection to the national song. Earlier, the bill applied only to the tricolour, the constitution, and the National Anthem.

Vande Mataram Bill | All you need to know

Also Read | 6 stanzas of Vande Mataram a must before national anthem | What are the new rules for the national song?

Why is the opposition against the amendment?

Following the home ministry's directive in 2025 regarding Vande Mataram, many opposition leaders and states have criticised the bill. The mandatory playing of Vande Mataram in state assemblies for official events also sparked a row, as many states claimed that the mandatory order threatens regional pride, state autonomy, and secular principles.

Also Read | Row over Tamil Nadu state song being played after national anthem, Vande Mataram at ministers' oath event

Several opposition leaders continued their critique of the bill during the monsoon session of Parliament, stating that the amendment to include the National Song violated the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Ahead of the bill's introduction in the upper house, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas called for reconsideration, citing that the amendment raises issues relating to Articles 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution, which protect freedom of speech and expression, personal liberty and freedom of conscience.

Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More