Context
- The Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to amend the 1971 Act.
- The Bill seeks to extend legal protection to Vande Mataram by penalising intentional disrespect, obstruction, or disruption during its singing.
What does the Amendment Bill, 2026 propose?
The Bill seeks to:
- Include Vande Mataram within the scope of the 1971 Act.
- Make intentional obstruction, disturbance, or disrespect during its singing a punishable offence.
- Extend the same legal protection available to the National Anthem.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 was enacted to preserve the dignity and honour of India’s national symbols. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally insult or show disrespect towards the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem, thereby reinforcing citizens’ duty to respect these national symbols.
Punishment
- Any person found guilty under the Act is liable to imprisonment for a term up to three years, or fine, or both, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence.
Important Supreme Court Judgments
Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) Held:
- No person can be compelled to sing the National Anthem if the refusal is based on genuine religious beliefs.
- Respect for national symbols is mandatory, but forced participation is not.
- Reinforced Article 19(1)(a) and Article 25.
About Vande Mataram
Origin
- Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- Originally composed in Sanskritised Bengali.
- First published in the novel Anandamath (1882).
National Movement
- Became a powerful slogan during India’s freedom struggle.
- Widely used during the Swadeshi Movement (1905) against the Partition of Bengal.
National Song Status
- On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted:
- Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem.
- Vande Mataram as the National Song with equal respect.
Constitutional Provisions Related to National Symbols
Article 51A(a) – Fundamental Duty
- Every citizen shall:Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC 1. Vande Mataram |
Q. With reference to Vande Mataram, consider the following statements:
1. Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
2. It was first published in the novel Anandamath.
3. The Constitution of India explicitly recognises Vande Mataram as the National Song.
4. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to extend legal protection to Vande Mataram.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation
• Statement 1: Correct. Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
• Statement 2: Correct. The song was first published in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath (1882).
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The Constitution of India does not explicitly recognise or mention Vande Mataram as the National Song; its status was conferred through a Constituent Assembly decision on 24 January 1950.
• Statement 4: Correct. The Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to extend legal protection to Vande Mataram.