Insulting 'Vande Mataram' will attract imprisonment of up to 3 years

Union Government to introduce important Bill during Monsoon Session

New Delhi – The Union Government is set to introduce several important bills during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, commencing on July 20th. Among these, the ‘Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill’ is being discussed the most.

This proposed legislation aims to make acts such as insulting the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, or deliberately preventing or obstructing its rendition, punishable offenses. The Union Cabinet has already approved the bill, and it will first be introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

1. The government has long maintained that ‘Vande Mataram’ should be granted legal protection, just like other symbols associated with national honour. It holds the view that previous secular governments failed to accord ‘Vande Mataram’ the respect it deserved given its historic role in the freedom struggle.

2. Once the proposed amendment is enacted, ‘Vande Mataram’ will receive legal protection on par with other symbols of national honour, such as the National Flag and the National Anthem (‘Jana Gana Mana’). Criminal action could be initiated against any individual who deliberately insults the national song, prevents its rendition, disrupts the singing, or creates a disturbance during a public event to obstruct it.

3. The proposal includes a provision for imprisonment of up to three years in such cases. The government has already issued directives through the Ministry of Home Affairs making the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory at government functions where the National Anthem (‘Jana Gana Mana’) is played or sung. This amendment is now being introduced to provide legal backing to that existing practice.