President Murmu gives assent to Vande Mataram Bill, grants it same legal protection as National Anthem

President Droupadi Murmu recently granted assent to the Vande Mataram Bill, which grants the national song the same legal protection as the national anthem. This legislation, passed by Parliament last month, amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The new law aims to provide Vande Mataram with the same statutory protection as Jana Gana Mana.

Those found guilty of insulting Vande Mataram will now face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The amendment was proposed to prohibit individuals from intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram or causing disturbances to assemblies engaged in its performance. Presently, there is no specific legal provision to protect the national song.

The bill was inspired by Dr Rajendra Prasad's statement in 1950, who declared that Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, should be honored equally with the national anthem and accorded equal status. This week, Vande Mataram will be sung from the Red Fort's ramparts for the first time during the Independence Day function.

Additionally, all six stanzas of the song will be sung before the national song and anthem when played together. The Union Home Ministry has also issued protocols for singing Vande Mataram, directing that it should be sung before the national anthem and national flag at official functions.