Insulting Vande Mataram is a Punishable Offence:
The Union Cabinet has recently cleared a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making any intentional insult or obstruction to the singing of the National Song, Vande Mataram, a legally punishable offence.The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 strictly penalizes insults or disrespect towards the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana), the National Flag, and the Constitution of India.Under the existing Section 3 of the 1971 Act, intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or causing a disturbance carries a punishment of imprisonment extending up to three years, a fine, or both.The amendment will extend this exact statutory protection to the National Song.In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued instructions mandating that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram (lasting over three minutes) must be sung or played at official events.The MHA directed that the National Song should be given precedence over the National Anthem (written by Rabindranath Tagore) when both are featured at the same official event.The Supreme Court held that the MHA guidelines on Vande Mataram are purely advisory and carry no penal consequences for non-compliance.
