**Executive Summary**
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2026, to amend the existing 1971 Act. The primary purpose of this Bill is to extend legal protections, previously reserved for the National Anthem, to the National Song (*Vande Mataram*). It establishes criminal penalties for intentionally preventing the singing of these hymns or disturbing assemblies engaged in such singing.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legislative Amendments**
* **Substitution of Section 3:** The Bill replaces Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to broaden its scope.
* **Inclusion of National Song:** The amendment specifically brings the National Song (*Vande Mataram*) under the same legal protection as the National Anthem (*Jana-Gana-Mana*).
**Prohibited Acts**
* **Prevention of Singing:** It is a punishable offense to intentionally prevent any person from singing the National Anthem or the National Song.
* **Disruption of Assemblies:** Causing disturbance to any assembly intentionally engaged in the singing of the National Anthem or National Song is strictly prohibited.
**Penalties and Enforcement**
* **Criminal Liability:** Individuals found guilty of these offenses face a term of imprisonment that may extend to three years, a fine, or both.
**Statement of Objects and Reasons**
* **Equal Status:** The Bill references a 1950 Constituent Assembly statement by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, asserting that *Vande Mataram* shall be honored equally and have equal status with *Jana-Gana-Mana*.
* **Addressing Legal Gaps:** The amendment seeks to rectify the current lack of specific legal provisions regarding insults to the singing of the National Song.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Public**
**Impact**
Individuals are now legally prohibited from intentionally interfering with the singing of the National Song.
**Action Required**
The public must ensure that their conduct does not prevent the singing of *Vande Mataram* or cause disturbance to groups engaged in its singing to avoid criminal prosecution.
**Law Enforcement and Judiciary**
**Impact**
Authorities are granted the legal framework to arrest and prosecute individuals for acts of disrespect or disruption specifically targeting the National Song.
**Action Required**
Enforcement agencies must update their protocols to include the amended provisions of Section 3 of the Act of 1971 when investigating insults to national honor.
**Organizers of Public Assemblies**
**Impact**
Groups or organizations conducting events where the National Song is performed receive greater legal protection against intentional disruptions.
**Action Required**
Organizers should be aware of these protections and report any intentional disturbances to the appropriate authorities for legal action under the amended Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026: The specific legislative bill introduced to amend existing law to include protections for the National Song.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: The principal Act being amended, which criminalizes intentional insults or disturbances to the National Anthem.
National Song (Vande Mataram): The primary subject of the amendment, which seeks to grant it the same legal protections against insults and disturbances as the National Anthem.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India where the Bill was introduced.
Amit Shah: The key individual/minister who presented the Statement of Objects and Reasons for the Bill.
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RAJYA SABHA
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
___________
The following Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on the 24th July, 2026:-
RAJYA SABHA
Bill_N__o_._L_I_X_ _o_f _2026
The following Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on the 24th July, 2026:—
BILL NO. LIX OF 2026
A Bill furtherto amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of
India as follows:—
1. This Act may be called the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Short title.
(Amendment) Act, 2026.
2. In the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, for section 3, Amendment of
the following section shall be substituted, namely:— Act 69 of 1971.2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
Preventing or “3.Whoever, intentionally—
disturbing
singing of (a) prevents the singing of the National Anthem or the National
National
Song; or
Anthem or
National Song.
(b)causes disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three
years, or with fine, or with both.”.Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (the said Act), inter
alia, provides that any act of intentionally preventing the singing of the National
Anthem or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing
constitutes a punishable offence.
2.At the meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on the 24th January, 1950,
its President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, stated that the song Vande Mataram composed
by, Shri Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, which played a historic role in the Indian
freedom struggle, shall be honoured equally with ‘Jana-Gana-Mana’ and shall
have equal status with it.
3. Presently, there is no specific legal provision to prevent insults to the
singing of Vande Mataram, which is honoured as the National Song. Therefore, in
order to prohibit any person from intentionally preventing the singing of the
National Song (Vande Mataram) or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged
in such singing, it is proposed to amend section 3 of the said Act to include the
National Song also withinits ambit, so as to make such actspunishable.
4.The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
NEWDELHI; AMIT SHAH.
The10thJuly, 2026.
___________
PP..C. Mody,
Secretary-General.
P.C. MODY,
Secretary-General.
______________________________________________________________________________
PUBLISHED BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, RAJYA SABHA, UNDER RULE 68 OF
THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL OF
STATES (RAJYA SABHA)
Digitally signed by
AJAY
AJAY INDORKAR
INDORKAR Date: 2026.07.24
17:46:59 +05'30'
UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002
AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054.
MGIPMRND—465GI(S4)—24-07-2026.