The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which makes insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The upper house took up the bill for discussion amid sloganeering and protests from opposition members demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police action against student demonstrators during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march.
The Opposition staged a walkout as the debate continued, but the bill was passed by voice vote.
The legislation expands existing provisions under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, making desecration or disrespect toward national symbols—including the flag, anthem, Constitution, and Vande Mataram—a punishable offence with up to three years’ imprisonment.
The passage of the bill marks a significant moment in Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which has been dominated by heated exchanges over student protests and the NEET paper‑leak controversy.
