Bill adds Vande Mataram to insults law, equal to National Anthem

This Bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to make it a punishable offence to intentionally prevent the singing of the National Song (Vande Mataram) or cause disturbance to an assembly singing it. The change is proposed because there is currently no specific legal provision to protect the singing of the National Song, despite it being honoured with equal status to the National Anthem.

Any person who intentionally prevents the singing of the National Anthem or the National Song, or causes disturbance to any assembly engaged in singing either.

• Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 is substituted to include the National Song alongside the National Anthem.
• The offence is defined as intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or causing disturbance to an assembly engaged in such singing.
• The punishment for this offence is imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or a fine, or both.

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