Amid ruckus, Ministry tables Bill in RS to punish insult to National Song, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
• The Bill proposes to extend legal protection against insult to the National Song Vande Mataram.
• It aims to amend the existing Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• Union Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai introduced the Bill amidst opposition from Left MPs.
• The objections raised by Left MPs regarding the Bill's legislative competence were defeated by a voice vote.

Detailed Insights:

• The original Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, currently penalizes acts of disrespect towards the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem.
• Left MPs argued that the Constituent Assembly consciously refrained from placing the National Song and National Anthem on the same constitutional footing.
• They contended that Parliament cannot re-write this constitutional settlement through ordinary legislation.
• Minister Nityananda Rai cited a statement by Rajendra Prasad on January 24, 1950, which asserted that both the National Song and National Anthem should have equal status.
• The Constituent Assembly officially adopted "Jana Gana Mana" as the National Anthem and "Vande Mataram" as the National Song on January 24, 1950.
• While Rajendra Prasad called for equal honor, Article 51A(a) of the Constitution of India (Fundamental Duties) specifically mentions respecting the National Flag and National Anthem, but not the National Song.
• Historically, the Constituent Assembly distinguished between the two, acknowledging Vande Mataram's role in the freedom struggle while prioritizing the National Anthem for its pluralistic representation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: A penal law enacted to safeguard the dignity of India's national symbols like the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem.
• National Song Vande Mataram: Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, it played a significant role in India's independence movement.
• National Anthem Jana Gana Mana: Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, as the official anthem of India.
• Constituent Assembly: The body responsible for drafting the Constitution of India and making crucial decisions regarding national symbols.