Parliament has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the Lok Sabha clearing it after the Rajya Sabha passed it on July 29. The Bill now goes to the President for assent before taking effect as law.The legislation amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which currently penalises intentional disrespect to the National Flag, the Constitution, and the National Anthem ('Jana Gana Mana') with up to three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, and a minimum one-year term for repeat offenders. The amendment extends this same statutory protection to the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', for the first time, making deliberate insult to it or intentional disruption of its singing a criminal offence.