Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Criminalise Insults to 'Vande Mataram': What Changes Now?

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a Bill that seeks to give 'Vande Mataram' the same legal protection as the National Anthem, making any deliberate insult to or obstruction of the National Song a criminal offence.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was cleared by a voice vote after a brief but heated debate, a day after receiving the Rajya Sabha's approval. With both Houses having passed the legislation, it now awaits the President's assent before becoming law.

The debate, however, was as much about nationalism as it was about the law itself.

Defending the legislation, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the amendment was aimed solely at protecting India's national honour and was not directed against any state, language or political ideology.

"This Bill is for Indian pride, not against any state and ideology," Rai said, adding that the Centre respects every state's cultural identity while advocating that the National Song be sung alongside the National Anthem.

The Opposition, however, mounted a strong challenge.

Leading the charge, DMK MP Kanimozhi alleged that the legislation was an attempt to advance a political agenda under the guise of nationalism. She argued that patriotism cannot be legislated and warned that the move could undermine India's secular and federal character.

Kanimozhi also referred to the historical decision of India's founding leaders to accord official recognition only to the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, contending that the new law risks reopening settled debates and deepening divisions.

She further accused the government of disregarding the cultural identities of states such as Tamil Nadu, which have their own state songs, and criticised the timing of the Bill's passage amid Opposition protests in the House.

The amendment expands the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which currently penalises insults to the National Flag, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem. Once notified, Vande Mataram will enjoy the same statutory protection under the law.

The legislation now moves to the President of India for assent, after which its provisions will come into force.

(With inputs from ANI)