Vande Mataram bill tabled in Rajya Sabha
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New Delhi: Sharp opposition from Left party members to a Bill seeking legal protection for the national song Vande Mataram disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, forcing the House to adjourn till Monday.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to include penal provisions for disrespect or obstruction related to Vande Mataram.
The existing law already provides punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment for disrespect to the National Flag, the Constitution and the National Anthem. The proposed amendment seeks to extend similar protection to the national song.
CPI(M) members strongly opposed the move from the outset. Rajya Sabha member and CPI(M) leader John Brittas objected to the Bill’s introduction, saying patriotism and nationalism cannot be imposed through legislation. Other Left members, including A. Rahim and Santosh Kumar P., also submitted notices against it.
Santosh Kumar said the Bill was being brought to divert attention from the ongoing student movement, while stressing that Vande Mataram unites people rather than divides them.
Defending the Bill, Nityanand Rai said the Constituent Assembly had accorded equal status to the National Song and the National Anthem, and argued that the amendment was intended to strengthen legal safeguards for Vande Mataram.
The uproar over the Bill added to the already stormy Monsoon Session, which has been disrupted repeatedly over the NEET paper leak issue.
With the Opposition refusing to relent, Deputy Chairman Harvansh Singh adjourned the House till July 27.
(Inputs from IANS)