President Murmu gives assent to Bill criminalising insult to Vande Mataram
President Droupadi Murmu has signed a bill into law that criminalizes the intentional disruption of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. This legislation grants the song the same legal protections as the national anthem.
Why it matters
The law marks a significant shift in national policy regarding patriotic symbols and legal consequences for public dissent.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) gave assent to a Bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song 'Vande Mataram' , giving it the same legal protection currently accorded to the national anthem, a government statement said. With the President’s assent, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has become a law.
The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on July 30, while the Rajya Sabha had cleared it a day earlier.
The legislation grants Vande Mataram the same status as the national anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana'.
For the first time at the Independence Day function, Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort , the Union Home Ministry said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in