In a significant legislative move, the Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, paving the way for making the intentional insult of the national song, Vande Mataram, a criminal offence. The Bill, which had already received the approval of the Rajya Sabha, will now be sent to the President for assent before becoming law. The legislation is being introduced as part of the year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, one of the most revered symbols of India's freedom movement. During the debate in Parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai described the legislation as far more than an ordinary legal measure. He said the Bill represents "India's soul, national awareness and cultural heritage" and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the country's struggle for independence. Defending the proposed law, Rai argued that Vande Mataram occupies a unique place in India's national consciousness and deserves statutory protection similar to that accorded to other national symbols.
The minister also launched a sharp political attack on the Congress over its opposition to the Bill. Questioning the party's stand, Rai said he could not understand why some people, particularly the Congress, were opposed to Vande Mataram. He alleged that by opposing penal provisions for disrespecting the national song, the Congress and its allies were undermining the nation's pride through what he termed a policy of appeasement. He asked why the Opposition was protesting legislation intended to protect a song that inspired countless freedom fighters during the independence movement. The debate witnessed strong exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches, with the government maintaining that the legislation was aimed at preserving national honour rather than curbing democratic freedoms.
Under the proposed law, any individual found intentionally insulting Vande Mataram or deliberately obstructing its rendition could face imprisonment for up to three years, a monetary fine, or both. The legislation seeks to bring the national song within the ambit of statutory protection by prescribing criminal penalties for acts deemed to be deliberate disrespect. Government sources argued that the measure is intended to deter intentional acts of insult while reinforcing respect for national symbols.
Apart from penal provisions, the Bill also lays down detailed guidelines regarding the rendition of Vande Mataram. It proposes that the national song should be sung at all government functions and performed before the commencement of official programmes. According to the guidelines, all six stanzas should be rendered, with the complete rendition taking approximately three minutes and ten seconds. The legislation further states that people should remain in the attention position while the song is being sung. It also recommends that schools play or sing Vande Mataram before the morning prayer as part of regular assembly activities.
Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and is written in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali. The song first appeared in his celebrated novel Anandamath and was sung publicly for the first time at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta. Comprising six stanzas, it became a rallying cry for India's freedom movement and inspired generations of revolutionaries and nationalists during the struggle against British colonial rule. Over the decades, the song has retained its status as one of the most enduring symbols of patriotism and national identity.
With both Houses of Parliament now approving the Bill, it awaits the President's assent before becoming law. Once enacted, the amendment will introduce legal consequences for intentional disrespect toward Vande Mataram, while also formalising guidelines for its rendition in educational institutions and official functions, reflecting the government's stated objective of preserving the country's cultural heritage and national values.
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