RS passes bill to make insult to 'Vande Mataram' criminal offence

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to make insult to the national song 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offence, ending the over week-long impasse by taking up legislative agenda amid the Opposition's uproar over police action against students protesting NEET paper leak.The Opposition, led by the Congress, staged a walkout as Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed the members to speak on 'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026' after lunch, despite uproar in the House.
Replying to the discussion on the bill, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Congress was trying to insult the country's honour Vande Mataram by resorting to appeasement politics. Opposing Vande Mataram means boosting the morale of the Bharat 'Tere Tukde Honge gang', he alleged. He said several members expressed their views, but wondered why the Congress opposed it. "The Vande Mataram bill is not merely an ordinary bill but represents India's soul, national awareness and cultural heritage and reminds us of the freedom struggle," Rai said.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song in 1875. He had then said that one day this will be on the lips of every Indian "as a mantra", Rai asserted.  "Unfortunately, in 1937 Vande Mataram was limited to only two stanzas by (former Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehru," the Union Minister said. He mentioned several instances when Vande Mataram was used as the last words by many freedom fighters while sacrificing their lives for the country. Later, the House passed the bill with a voice vote.