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*Regarding need to amend the Prevention of Insults to
National Honour Act, 1971 to include the National Song 'Vande
Mataram' for its protection-Laid
SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR (HAMIRPUR): Vande Mataram,
composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and adopted as
the National Song in 1950, has united Indians. The Government
th
inaugurated a year-long 150 year commemoration and released a
commemorative stamp and coin considering the song a truly
source of strength. In Lok Sabha discussion on 8 December 2025,
the song?s power through colonial rule during 50th anniversary
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and the Emergency during its 100 anniversary was traced as to
how it energised the freedom movement and renewed collective
resolve. It is welcoming that Ministry of Home Affairs issued
protocols in February 2026 requiring the full six-stanza rendition,
an official version lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds, to precede the
National Anthem at formal events, in schools. However, unlike
National Anthem, which is protected under the Prevention of Insults
to National Honour Act, 1971 with penal sanctions, the National
Song lacks comparable statutory protection. Amending the 1971
Act to include Vande Mataram is therefore essential to harmonise
legal safeguards, deter deliberate disrespect, preserve cultural
heritage, strengthen national integration. Such an amendment
would clarify decorum, provide enforceable legal recourse, and
uphold citizens? constitutional duty to respect national symbols
while reaffirming the song?s historic role in India?s enduring unity.