President Murmu Grants Assent to Law Protecting Vande Mataram

President Droupadi Murmu has signed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, granting the national song 'Vande Mataram' the same legal protections as the national anthem.

Offenses such as intentionally preventing the singing of the song or causing disturbances during its performance are now punishable by up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The Union Home Ministry has also mandated that all six stanzas of the song, lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds, be performed first at official functions when played alongside the national anthem.