Why in News?
The Union Government introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha to extend statutory protection to the National Song (Vande Mataram).
Key Highlights
- Introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
- Seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- Extends penalties for insulting the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem to the National Song.
- Opposition members argued that the Constituent Assembly intentionally did not accord the National Song the same constitutional status as the National Anthem.
- The government cited Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s statement (24 January 1950) that both should enjoy equal respect.
National Anthem
- Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
- Full rendition duration: 52 seconds.
National Song
- Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- Taken from the novel Anandamath (1882).
- Only the first two stanzas enjoy official status as the National Song.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- Prohibits insults to the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem.
- Prescribes imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
- The 2026 Amendment Bill seeks to include the National Song within its ambit.
[2023] Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002:
Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
Which one of the following is correcti in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-l.
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
[C] Statement-l is correct but Statement-II is incorrect is incorrect.
[D] Statement-l is incorrect Statement-II is correct.