Rajya Sabha passes bill making insult to Vande Mataram a punishable offence amid opposition walkout
New Delhi, July 28: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, according it legal protection similar to that of the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aims to amend the existing 1971 law that already penalises insults to the national anthem, national flag, and the Constitution. The new amendment extends these provisions to the national song.
The bill was passed by a voice vote after most opposition members staged a walkout. Earlier, when the Upper House resumed proceedings at 2 pm, Deputy Chairman Harivansh invited members to discuss the bill. However, opposition members protested, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the recent Delhi Police action against students and youngsters protesting paper leaks at Jantar Mantar.
According to the bill, intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in its singing is punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine, or both. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai had introduced the bill for consideration on July 24.
Replying to the discussion, Rai said he could not understand why some members, particularly the Congress party, opposed the bill. “This is not just an amendment but our commitment towards national awareness, cultural heritage and the values of our freedom struggle,” he said.
Rai noted that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song in 1875, predicting it would become a mantra on every Indian’s lips. He alleged that as Congress President in 1937, Jawaharlal Nehru limited the national song to only two stanzas. In 1938, he added, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as Congress president, urged Timir Baran Bhattacharya to compose the full version. Rai also quoted Dr Rajendra Prasad’s statement in the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, that Vande Mataram should be honoured on par with Jana Gana Mana.
During the discussion, Congress’ Ranjit Ranjan was scheduled to speak first but joined the protest. Deputy Chairman Harivansh noted that the member was not interested in speaking on the bill. BJP’s Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, who spoke next, said the national song had been insulted for 123 years, accusing both the current and historical Congress of repeated insults.
Opposition members including Deputy Leader of Opposition Pramod Tiwari, Sagarika Ghose, and Tiruchi Siva demanded Amit Shah’s presence, but the Deputy Chairman confined the debate to the bill. Manoj Kumar Jha of Rashtriya Janata Dal said, “I am witnessing for the first time that our national song and national anthem are being pitted against each other. Reverence cannot be legislated.” Biju Janata Dal’s Sulata Deo noted that no member can sing the national song correctly and urged it be played in all state assemblies and Parliament. Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh supported the bill but called for similar legislation against those who insult the national anthem and the tricolour.
