GUWAHATI: The Lok Sabha on Thursday, July 30, passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid protests by Opposition members over alleged police excesses against protesters at Jantar Mantar and the Ram Temple donation theft row.
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The Bill was passed within around 15 minutes during the post-lunch sitting after repeated adjournments since morning amid sloganeering. Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs continued their protests from the Well of the House, while the DMK was the only Opposition party to participate in the discussion.
Only three MPs- DMK's K Kanimozhi and A Raja, and BJP's Sambit Patra- spoke briefly during the debate.
The legislation, which was cleared by the Rajya Sabha on July 29, will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent.
The Bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, bringing Vande Mataram under its ambit. Once enacted, insulting, obstructing or causing disturbances during the singing of the national song will be a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in jail, a fine, or both.
The existing law provides punishment for disrespecting the Constitution, national flag and national anthem.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the legislation represented India's cultural heritage, national identity and the ideals of the freedom struggle. He said Vande Mataram was not merely a song but “the voice of the nation’s soul.”
DMK MP K Kanimozhi opposed the Bill, claiming that the legislation would divide people across the country.
The Bill comes amid celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, months after the Centre made the rendition of all six stanzas mandatory, replacing the decades-old practice of singing the first two stanzas.
The legislation is the first Bill to be passed by both Houses of Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session, which has been marked by repeated Opposition disruptions, particularly over the NEET paper leak issue.