The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Key Highlights:

• The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amends Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• The amendment extends legal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram, similar to that afforded to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
• It makes it an offense to intentionally prevent the singing of the National Song or cause disturbance to an assembly engaged in its singing.
• The punishment for such offenses remains unchanged, including an enhanced penalty for repeat convictions under Section 3A (added in 2003).

Detailed Insights:

• The amendment addresses a gap, as the original Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, specifically protected only the National Anthem.
• The Constituent Assembly President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on January 24, 1950, had advocated for equal honour and status for Vande Mataram alongside Jana Gana Mana.
• Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, was first published in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandamath (1882).
• Rabindranath Tagore first sang Vande Mataram at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta.
• It became a powerful symbol and political slogan during the Swadeshi movement in 1905.
• The original Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, also protects the Indian National Flag and the Constitution of India under Section 2.
• Lawful criticism of the Constitution or National Flag, aimed at amendment, is not considered an offense under Section 2.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: An Indian law protecting national symbols like the Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem from disrespect.
• National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana): India's national song, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, already protected under the 1971 Act.
• National Song (Vande Mataram): India's national song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, now accorded similar legal protection.
• Constituent Assembly: The body that drafted the Constitution of India, whose President advocated for equal status for Vande Mataram.