New Bill Proposes 3-Year Jail Term for Disrupting 'Vande Mataram' Rendition
A new bill introduced in the Lok Sabha seeks to make the disruption of the rendition of 'Vande Mataram' a punishable offence with imprisonment of up to three years. The bill, titled the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to extend the existing legal protection afforded to the national anthem and national flag to the national song.
'Vande Mataram', composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, holds a revered place in India's cultural and historical identity. It was adopted as the national song in 1937 by the Indian National Congress and continues to be sung at many official and cultural events. The bill proposes that any person who intentionally prevents or disturbs the singing of 'Vande Mataram' in a public place shall be liable for prosecution.
The proposed law also includes provisions for fines in addition to imprisonment. If passed, it would amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which currently covers only the national anthem and the national flag. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential misuse of such provisions and the chilling effect on freedom of expression.
The bill was introduced by a private member and is yet to be debated in Parliament. It is not clear whether the government supports the measure. Similar attempts in the past have failed to gain traction, but this bill has sparked fresh debate on the balance between national symbols and individual rights.
