New Delhi: The Central government is preparing to introduce a Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament that would grant Vande Mataram the same
legal protection as the national anthem, the national flag and the Constitution. If passed, insulting or disrupting the singing of the national song could attract a prison term of up to three years, a fine or both.
The proposed Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the 1971 law, which currently provides similar protection to the national anthem, the Tricolour and the Constitution.
Protection under proposed law
At present, anyone who intentionally insults or disrupts the national anthem can face up to three years’ imprisonment. The amendment seeks to include Vande Mataram within the same legal framework.
The move comes as the government continues celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the national song, which was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later published in his novel Anandmath.
