Rajya Sabha Passes Bill Criminalizing Insults to Vande Mataram

The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, via a voice vote on July 29. The legislation extends statutory protections to the national song, Vande Mataram, aligning it with the national anthem, the national flag, and the Constitution. Under the new law, obstructing the singing of Vande Mataram or insulting the song is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, defended the bill as a commitment to India's cultural heritage and linked it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. He accused the Indian National Congress and other opposition members of engaging in appeasement politics by opposing the measure.

The bill passed amid significant tension and protests. Opposition MPs staged a walkout after demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police actions against student protesters following NEET exam paper leak protests. The legislation now moves to the Lok Sabha for further consideration.