New Delhi: On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu granted approval to a new Bill that criminalizes the intentional disruption of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, aligning its legal protection with that of the national anthem.
This development was confirmed by a government announcement.
With the President’s endorsement, The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is now officially a law.
The Lok Sabha passed this Bill on July 30, following its approval by the Rajya Sabha a day prior.
This new legislation elevates ‘Vande Mataram’ to the same status as the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be performed during the Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort, as stated by the Union Home Ministry.
Previously, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act prohibited the intentional obstruction of the national anthem’s performance or any disturbances during such events.
Violations of this law could result in up to three years of imprisonment, fines, or both, with repeat offenders facing a minimum of one year in prison.
However, the previous law did not extend similar protections to the national song.
The Bill emphasized the absence of specific legal measures to safeguard the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, which is revered as the national song. To address this, it proposed an amendment to Section 3 of the Act to include ‘Vande Mataram’ within its scope, making such disruptions punishable.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the president of the Constituent Assembly, declared on January 24, 1950, that ‘Vande Mataram’, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and pivotal to India’s freedom struggle, should be honored equally alongside ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
Earlier this year, the Union Home Ministry mandated that all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung first when both the national song and anthem are performed together.
In an order dated January 28, the ministry outlined protocols for singing the national song, specifying that the six stanzas, lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds, should be sung at official events, including the president’s arrival, flag hoisting, and governors’ speeches.
The order stated that during performances of both the national song and anthem, ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung or played first.
Additionally, the assembly where the national song is performed must stand in attention.
The directive also indicated that all schools should commence their daily activities with a communal singing of the national song.