New Delhi: Following its electoral success in West Bengal, the Centre has initiated a proposal to grant Vande Mataram a status comparable to the national anthem and introduce stricter penalties for acts deemed disrespectful toward it. According to a report by Free Press Journal, the move includes amending existing legal provisions to bring the national song under stronger statutory protection.
The proposal seeks to modify the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, placing “Vande Mataram” on par with Jana Gana Mana. If implemented, any disruption or insult during its rendition could attract a prison sentence of up to three years, along with potential fines. The step signals an effort to reinforce the symbolic and legal importance of the song in public and official settings.
Government sources cited by media reports indicate that the decision was taken soon after the party’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The move is seen as part of a broader push to strengthen respect for national symbols and align the status of the national song more closely with that of the anthem.
“Vande Mataram,” written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has historically held a significant place in India’s freedom movement and was adopted as the national song in 1950. While it already enjoys high symbolic value, the proposed amendment aims to formalise its standing within the legal framework.
As reported by the Free Press Journal, the plan is still at the proposal stage, and further legislative steps will be required before any changes come into effect. The development has sparked renewed discussion around the role and recognition of national symbols in India’s constitutional and cultural landscape.
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