The Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending legal protection to the national song Vande Mataram. The law makes insulting or obstructing its rendition a punishable offence with up to three years’ imprisonment or fine.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called ‘Vande Mataram’ a guiding mantra for India’s reconstruction while addressing the NCORD anti-narcotics meeting. He linked the song to freedom struggle values and emphasized stronger efforts against synthetic drugs and trafficking networks
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a Vande Mataram Museum to honour Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on his 189th birth anniversary. He said funds have been allocated in the 2026-27 budget and described the project as a national-standard initiative
The Home Ministry’s decision to restore all six stanzas of Vande Mataram on its 150th anniversary reaffirms the principle that literary works must be preserved in their authentic, unaltered form
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress in the Lok Sabha of dividing Vande Mataram under appeasement politics and overruling Mahatma Gandhi’s wishes. He cited Nehru’s letter expressing concern over Muslim sentiments and said Congress bowed to pressures that later led to Partition-era decisions
On Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary, PM Modi recalled its role in India’s freedom struggle, condemning the Emergency when the Constitution was “throttled.” He highlighted the song’s unifying power against British oppression and emphasized preserving its historic legacy
