Rajya Sabha passes bill criminalising Vande Mataram insult

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making intentional disruption of the singing of Vande Mataram a criminal offence punishable with up to three years in prison, fine, or both. The bill amends the 1971 law to extend the same protections as the national anthem. The passage occurred via voice vote amid opposition protests and a walkout demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on police action against NEET paper leak protesters.