Vande Mataram Gets Equal Legal Protection

Vande Mataram has received the same legal protection as India’s national anthem after President Droupadi Murmu approved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026. The amendment brings the national song under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making deliberate obstruction or disruption of its singing a punishable offence.

The amendment was sent for presidential approval after being passed by both Houses of Parliament. Under the revised provisions, anyone found guilty of deliberately obstructing or disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram can face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The move places Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana under the same legal framework against acts of deliberate insult or obstruction.