President Murmu Assents to Law Criminalizing Insult to Vande Mataram

President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, officially criminalizing insults to the national song.

The new law grants 'Vande Mataram' the same legal protections as the national anthem, with violations punishable by up to three years of imprisonment or a fine.

The Union Home Ministry confirmed that the national song will be performed from the Red Fort ramparts for the first time during the upcoming Independence Day function.