What is National Honor (Amendment) Act, 2026

The BJP government celebrated a year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. | Photo credit: The Hindu

Backstory: The Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2026 introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honor (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to extend legal protection to Vande Mataram, the national song, by amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971. The Act and the National Flag currently criminalize the Constitution. The legislation is the culmination of the BJP government’s year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and follows a series of government measures, including protocols for its transmission and directives to states to observe it.

The bill seeks to amend Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, which currently punishes anyone who willfully prevents the singing of the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) or disrupts a gathering engaged in its singing.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 10:58 IST