Parliament witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Thursday as the government successfully pushed through the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which makes insulting the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence. The Lok Sabha voted in favour of the legislation, with the opposition, however, intensifying its attack over various issues, including the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against protesting students. The stormy debate in the Rajya Sabha saw heated exchanges between leaders of the ruling party and the opposition, including Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP’s JP Nadda.
Key Highlights of the Bill
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The new legislation makes it a punishable offence to deliberately insult or bring into contempt the national song Vande Mataram, which is considered a symbol of national pride. The bill also proposes to increase the punishment for insulting the national flag, the national anthem, and the national song. According to the amended bill, anyone found guilty of insulting Vande Mataram will be liable to imprisonment for a term of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 10,000.
The opposition, however, raised several concerns over the bill, including the potential misuse of the legislation against those who criticize the government or express dissenting views. Congress leader Kharge alleged that the bill was an attempt to muzzle dissent and suppress the voices of opposition parties. Kharge’s remarks were countered by BJP’s Nadda, who accused the opposition of being anti-national and trying to divide the country.
Condemnation of Police Action
The opposition also expressed strong condemnation of the police action against protesting students who were demanding the cancellation of the NEET exam. The students, who had been on a hunger strike for several days, were allegedly beaten up by the police, leading to widespread condemnation on social media. The opposition demanded an inquiry into the incident and called for the resignation of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who they accused of being responsible for the police action.
The situation in the Rajya Sabha remained tense, with several opposition leaders expressing their deep disappointment over the government’s handling of the situation. The opposition members also raised slogans and held placards demanding justice for the students and an end to police brutality.
Government’s Stand
The government, however, defended its actions, saying that the police had acted in accordance with the law and that the students were being provocative. The government also accused the opposition of trying to politicize the issue and create unrest in the country.
The government’s stand was met with strong opposition from several parties, including the Congress, the Left, and the TMC. The opposition parties demanded that the government take immediate action to address the concerns of the students and ensure that justice is delivered to those who have been wronged.
The passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha marks a significant victory for the government, but the opposition’s intense criticism and condemnation of police action against students are likely to continue to dominate the debate in the coming days.
