Parliament clears Bill on National Song amid din, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
• The Rajya Sabha had cleared the legislation earlier.
• The Bill makes intentional insult to Vande Mataram a punishable offence.
• It extends the same legal protection to the National Song as is currently afforded to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Detailed Insights:

• The original Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, criminalizes disrespect towards the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem.
• The 2026 amendment specifically modifies Section 3 of the 1971 Act to include Vande Mataram.
• Punishment for such offences can extend up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both, with repeat offenders facing a minimum of one year imprisonment.
• The government justified the amendment by citing Dr. Rajendra Prasad's 1950 statement that Vande Mataram should be honored equally with Jana Gana Mana.
• Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, played a significant role as a rallying cry during the Indian Independence Movement.
• It was officially recognized as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, alongside the National Anthem.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: A law prohibiting desecration or insult to India's national symbols like the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem.
• Vande Mataram: India's National Song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, which played a crucial role in the freedom struggle.
• National Song: A patriotic song of a country, in India's case, Vande Mataram, accorded equal status with the National Anthem.
• National Anthem: A patriotic musical composition, Jana Gana Mana for India, recognized as a symbol of national identity.