India's Rajya Sabha passes bill criminalising disruption of Vande Mataram singing

India's upper house of parliament has passed a bill that would criminalise the intentional disruption or prevention of singing the national song Vande Mataram. The Rajya Sabha approved the measure by voice vote on Wednesday after nearly all opposition members walked out of the chamber. The bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, a 1971 law that already makes insults to the national anthem, the national flag and the Constitution a criminal offence.

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The proposed change would make it punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both, if someone intentionally prevents the singing of Vande Mataram or causes a disturbance to an assembly engaged in it. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai introduced the bill for consideration in the upper house on 24 July. During the debate, he said he did not understand why some members, especially the Congress party, opposed the measure and described it as a commitment to national awareness, cultural heritage and the values of the freedom struggle.

The session was disrupted when proceedings resumed at 2pm and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh invited members to begin discussion on the bill. Opposition members protested and raised slogans, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over a separate Delhi Police action against students and young people protesting against paper leaks at Jantar Mantar. The walkout meant the bill was passed without a full opposition presence in the chamber.

The episode adds to an already tense parliamentary atmosphere, with the legislation becoming tied to a wider political dispute over policing and student protests. Vande Mataram has long held symbolic importance in Indian public life, and the bill seeks to place legal protection around its singing in a way similar to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Rai told the house that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the song in 1875 and that it was later discussed by major figures in India's political history.

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He said Jawaharlal Nehru limited the song to two stanzas in 1937, while Subhas Chandra Bose later urged the composition of the full version in 1938. Rai also cited remarks attributed to Rajendra Prasad in the Constituent Assembly in 1950, saying Vande Mataram should be honoured on par with the national anthem. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, but the political dispute around it is likely to continue.

It is not yet clear how the lower house will handle the measure or whether the opposition will maintain its objections. The debate also shows how questions of national symbolism can quickly become linked to broader arguments over protest, policing and political identity in parliament. What remains to be seen is whether the bill will be taken up in the same form by the lower house and whether any amendments will be proposed.

The reaction from opposition parties suggests the issue may remain contentious beyond this vote. Further developments will also depend on whether the government chooses to press ahead with the legislation as drafted or seek wider support.

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