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Cabinet approves amendment to make insult to Vande Mataram a punishable offence
The Union Cabinet on May 5, 2026 approved a proposal to amend The Prevention of Insults To National Honour Act, 1971 to criminalize insults or obstructions to the singing of Vande Mataram. The existing Act already criminalizes insults to the National Anthem, National Flag, and the Constitution, with penalties including imprisonment up to three years or a fine or both.
Why It Matters
The amendment extends legal protection to the national song, reinforcing penalties for disrespect to national symbols and expressions of national reverence.
Timeline
2 Events
Cabinet approves amendment to make insult to Vande Mataram a punishable offence
May 5, 2026
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, approved amending The Prevention of Insults To National Honour Act, 1971 to make any insult or obstruction to the singing of National Song Vande Mataram a punishable offence, according to a government source told The Hindu. The government source noted that, as of now, insults to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana, the National Flag and the Constitution are already punishable under the 1971 Act, with penalties including imprisonment up to three years or a fine or both.
Current scope of The Prevention of Insults To National Honour Act, 1971
1971
The Prevention of Insults To National Honour Act, 1971 currently criminalizes insults to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana, the National Flag and the Constitution of India, with penalties of imprisonment up to three years or a fine or both.