President Droupadi Murmu grants assent to bill criminalising insult to Vande Mataram
President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which provides the national song Vande Mataram with legal protections equivalent to those of the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The legislation, which was passed by both houses of Parliament in late July, makes the intentional obstruction of the song or its insult a punishable offence.
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What Happened
President Droupadi Murmu signed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, into law on Tuesday. The bill received approval from the Rajya Sabha on July 29 and the Lok Sabha on July 30. The new legislation extends the legal protections previously reserved for the national anthem to the national song Vande Mataram, criminalising any intentional interference with its singing or acts of disrespect toward it.
This amendment modifies the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to ensure that Vande Mataram receives equal legal status to Jana Gana Mana. Under the new provisions, those who obstruct the singing of the song or show it disrespect face potential legal penalties. According to reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also indicated that all six stanzas of the song will be performed at the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations.
Key Facts
- President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Tuesday.
- The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29 and the Lok Sabha on July 30.
- The legislation amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- Vande Mataram now holds legal status equivalent to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
- Intentional obstruction or insult of Vande Mataram is now a punishable offence.
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