NEW DELHI: Anyone who prevents or disrupts the singing of Vande Mataram, which must now be sung in full at all state events and civil investiture ceremonies, could face up to three years in jail, a fine, or both under a Bill the govt plans to introduce in Parliament’s Monsoon session starting Monday.The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to amend Section 3 of the relevant Act, which at present deals only with insults to the National Anthem, to add the national song to its ambit.“Whoever, intentionally, prevents the singing of the national anthem or the national song; or 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,” states Section 3 of the proposed bill.Where a person has already been convicted, every subsequent offence shall be punishable with a minimum jail term of one year.The statement of objects and reasons for 2026 amendment bill cites the Jan 24, 1950, meeting of the Constituent Assembly, where its president Rajendra Prasad had stated that Vande Mataram, “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”.“Presently, there is no specific legal provision to prevent insults to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’,” the statement points out while justifying the need for penal provision.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Strictly Prohibited’: Delhi Police Invokes Section 163, Issues Warning Over CJP’s Sansad MarchCJP Releases Do’s & Don’ts For ‘Chalo Sansad’ March As Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger StrikeFlash Floods, Landslides Hit J&K’s Poonch-Rajouri; Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Yatra SuspendedModi Govt’s Invitation To Rebel TMC Faction Sparks Row, Oppn Walks Out Of All-Party Meet‘Entire System Shakes When…’: Jantar Mantar Protesters Speak Ahead Of July 20 Sansad MarchTrump Administration Tightens F-1 Visa Rules; 4-Year Stay Limit, Shorter Grace PeriodRahul Gandhi, Kharge Seek Independent Probe Into Ram Mandir Donation Theft AllegationsSonam Wangchuk Terms Hospital Stay ‘Illegal Detention’, Calls July 20 Parliament MarchIndia Launches ‘White Rabbit’ Precision Timing Network To Secure Indian Standard TimeIndia Raises Cross-Border Terror Concerns At US Ministerial Meet; Stresses Zero Tolerance123PhotostoriesFrom Porcelain Bears to Leather Fish: The weird luxury fashion trend everyone’s talking aboutYour skin may be reflecting your gut health: Doctor explains why acne, eczema, and rosacea could begin in the digestive systemWhich Zodiac Signs Have the Warmest Hearts?”My three go-to pre- and post-workout snacks are…”: Japan Open 2026 winner PV Sindhu reveals her energy-boosting diet‘Ramayana’ trailer event in Delhi: What Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet and the star cast woreFrom kheer to pie: 6 potato desserts worth tryingCoffee scalp scrub for hair growth: Does it really work, or can it damage your hair?Sai Pallavi’s Kanjeevaram saree look as Goddess Sita leaves fans spellbound at the ‘Ramayana’ event’Ramayan’ star Sai Pallavi proves less is more with these 6 timeless saree looksLeftover pasta may be healthier than you think and there are no zero-calorie foods: 10 food facts that will blow your mind123Hot PicksFIFA World Cup LiveJalen BrunsonKim KardashianLeandro Paredes ParentsGerard Piqus GirlfriendAMRUT 2.0 water projectISRO scientists resignMahadev betting appSkyroot AerospaceTop TrendingErling HaalandJude BellinghamFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh MurderSonam WangchukAndhra Pradesh Covid 19 DeathLawrence Bishnoi GangIshowspeedAbhishek BanerjeeIran war

NEW DELHI: Anyone who prevents or disrupts the singing of Vande Mataram, which must now be sung in full at all state events and civil investiture ceremonies, could face up to three years in jail, a fine, or both under a Bill the govt plans to introduce in Parliament’s Monsoon session starting Monday.The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to amend Section 3 of the relevant Act, which at present deals only with insults to the National Anthem, to add the national song to its ambit.“Whoever, intentionally, prevents the singing of the national anthem or the national song; or 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,” states Section 3 of the proposed bill.Where a person has already been convicted, every subsequent offence shall be punishable with a minimum jail term of one year.The statement of objects and reasons for 2026 amendment bill cites the Jan 24, 1950, meeting of the Constituent Assembly, where its president Rajendra Prasad had stated that Vande Mataram, “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”.“Presently, there is no specific legal provision to prevent insults to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’,” the statement points out while justifying the need for penal provision.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Strictly Prohibited’: Delhi Police Invokes Section 163, Issues Warning Over CJP’s Sansad MarchCJP Releases Do’s & Don’ts For ‘Chalo Sansad’ March As Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger StrikeFlash Floods, Landslides Hit J&K’s Poonch-Rajouri; Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Yatra SuspendedModi Govt’s Invitation To Rebel TMC Faction Sparks Row, Oppn Walks Out Of All-Party Meet‘Entire System Shakes When…’: Jantar Mantar Protesters Speak Ahead Of July 20 Sansad MarchTrump Administration Tightens F-1 Visa Rules; 4-Year Stay Limit, Shorter Grace PeriodRahul Gandhi, Kharge Seek Independent Probe Into Ram Mandir Donation Theft AllegationsSonam Wangchuk Terms Hospital Stay ‘Illegal Detention’, Calls July 20 Parliament MarchIndia Launches ‘White Rabbit’ Precision Timing Network To Secure Indian Standard TimeIndia Raises Cross-Border Terror Concerns At US Ministerial Meet; Stresses Zero Tolerance123PhotostoriesFrom Porcelain Bears to Leather Fish: The weird luxury fashion trend everyone’s talking aboutYour skin may be reflecting your gut health: Doctor explains why acne, eczema, and rosacea could begin in the digestive systemWhich Zodiac Signs Have the Warmest Hearts?”My three go-to pre- and post-workout snacks are…”: Japan Open 2026 winner PV Sindhu reveals her energy-boosting diet‘Ramayana’ trailer event in Delhi: What Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet and the star cast woreFrom kheer to pie: 6 potato desserts worth tryingCoffee scalp scrub for hair growth: Does it really work, or can it damage your hair?Sai Pallavi’s Kanjeevaram saree look as Goddess Sita leaves fans spellbound at the ‘Ramayana’ event’Ramayan’ star Sai Pallavi proves less is more with these 6 timeless saree looksLeftover pasta may be healthier than you think and there are no zero-calorie foods: 10 food facts that will blow your mind123Hot PicksFIFA World Cup LiveJalen BrunsonKim KardashianLeandro Paredes ParentsGerard Piqus GirlfriendAMRUT 2.0 water projectISRO scientists resignMahadev betting appSkyroot AerospaceTop TrendingErling HaalandJude BellinghamFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh MurderSonam WangchukAndhra Pradesh Covid 19 DeathLawrence Bishnoi GangIshowspeedAbhishek BanerjeeIran war


Bill seeks 3-year jail for disturbing rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’

NEW DELHI: Anyone who prevents or disrupts the singing of Vande Mataram, which must now be sung in full at all state events and civil investiture ceremonies, could face up to three years in jail, a fine, or both under a Bill the govt plans to introduce in Parliament’s Monsoon session starting Monday.The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to amend Section 3 of the relevant Act, which at present deals only with insults to the National Anthem, to add the national song to its ambit.“Whoever, intentionally, prevents the singing of the national anthem or the national song; or 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,” states Section 3 of the proposed bill.Where a person has already been convicted, every subsequent offence shall be punishable with a minimum jail term of one year.The statement of objects and reasons for 2026 amendment bill cites the Jan 24, 1950, meeting of the Constituent Assembly, where its president Rajendra Prasad had stated that Vande Mataram, “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”.“Presently, there is no specific legal provision to prevent insults to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’,” the statement points out while justifying the need for penal provision.



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