The Union Home Minister will introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. It amends the 1971 Act to bring the National Song, Vande Mataram, under its protection on par with the National Flag, Constitution and National Anthem. Intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or disturbing such a gathering, would attract up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and published in Anandamath (1882). The Bill cites Dr. Rajendra Prasad's 24 January 1950 statement that it should have equal status with Jana Gana Mana.