Kolkata, New Delhi, INDIA. New York, USA.
Business To Business, New Delhi, 30th July, 2026: Parliament on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which makes any insult to the national song 'Vande Mataram' a punishable offence.
The legislation received the approval of the Lok Sabha by voice vote after a brief discussion in which only two members participated. The House passed the bill amid frequent disruptions and sloganeering by opposition members over various issues.
The Rajya Sabha had cleared the bill on Wednesday, completing the parliamentary approval process.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were repeatedly interrupted by opposition protests during the day, but the government succeeded in securing passage of the legislation.
The bill amends the existing Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to extend legal protection to the national song by making acts of insult towards 'Vande Mataram' punishable under law. Further details regarding the nature of the offence and the prescribed penalties are expected to be outlined in the amended legislation.