Why in News?
The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending legal protection to Vande Mataram by making its intentional disruption or prevention a punishable offence.
Key Highlights
- Amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- Makes intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of Vande Mataram punishable.
- Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
- Seeks to accord the National Song legal protection similar to the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).
- Passed by the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote.
About the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- The Act penalises insults to: National Flag, Constitution of India, and National Anthem
- The 2026 amendment adds protection for the National Song (Vande Mataram).
Vande Mataram
- Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- Originally appeared in the novel Anandamath (1882).
- Adopted as the National Song on 24 January 1950.
- Only the first two stanzas are accorded official status.
Prelims Facts
- National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana by Rabindranath Tagore.
- National Song: Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- 24 January 1950: Constituent Assembly adopted Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem while according Vande Mataram equal honour as the National Song.
[2025] Consider the following pairs:
Provision in the Constitution of India State under
I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the Public services of the StateThe Directive principles of the State policy
II. Valuing and preserving of the rich Heritage of our composite cultureThe Fundamental Duties
III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factoriesThe Fundamental Rights
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All the three
[D] None