Punishable insult to Vande Mataram law passed

Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, criminalizing insults to India's national song Vande Mataram with up to three years' imprisonment, aligning its protections with the national anthem. The government argued it grants the song due respect, while DMK opposition called it a Hindutva agenda. The bill was passed by voice vote in both houses amid opposition walkouts.