New Delhi, 30 July (H.S.): The National Honour Prevention of Insults (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha through a voice vote amid uproar on Thursday. The Bill had been passed by the Rajya Sabha a day earlier. The legislation seeks to provide Vande Mataram with legal protection and respect equivalent to that accorded to the National Anthem.

The government stated that the Bill would strengthen India’s cultural heritage, national unity, and the ideals that inspired the freedom struggle. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai responded to the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, following which it was passed and the House proceedings were adjourned until Friday.

Rai said that the legislation was not merely an amendment but a reaffirmation of India’s commitment towards its cultural heritage, national consciousness, and the ideals of the freedom movement. He said that just as the National Anthem was accorded respect through the 1971 Act, Vande Mataram should also receive similar recognition and honour.

In his address, Rai referred to the thoughts and contributions of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Swami Vivekananda, stating that Vande Mataram represents national unity, the vision of a developed India, and the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.

He further said that during the freedom struggle, the slogan of Vande Mataram resonated from the lips of several revolutionaries, including Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Khudiram Bose.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar