Amid repeated sloganeering and a walkout by the Opposition over the alleged police action against NEET paper leak demonstrators, the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. bringing Vande Mataram under the ambit of the 1971 law that penalises intentional disruption of the National Anthem. It is the first Bill to be passed since Monsoon session began on July 20The Bill was passed in the post-lunch sitting as Opposition members demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in the House and sought a statement from him on the alleged use of force against students protesting the NEET paper leak in the national capital.When the House reassembled, Deputy Chairman Harivansh appealed to protesting members to maintain order before taking up the Bill for consideration and passage. The Opposition, however, continued with sloganeering, prompting the Chair to carry on with the proceedings and call members listed to participate in the debate.The Opposition later staged a walkout while Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was speaking on the proposed legislation.Bill at a glanceAmends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971Brings Vande Mataram under the law’s protectionMakes intentional prevention of its singing a punishable offencePenalises disturbance to any assembly singing the national songRetains the same punishment: up to three-year jail, fine, or both.Existing law covered only the national anthemThe amendment substitutes Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Under the existing law, intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem or causing disturbance to an assembly engaged in its singing is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, fine or both. The amended provision extends the same protection to the national song, Vande Mataram, making intentional prevention of its singing or disturbance to an assembly engaged in such singing a punishable offence carrying the same penalty.According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the amendment was brought as there was no specific legal provision to deal with intentional obstruction of the singing of Vande Mataram.It refers to the statement made by Constituent Assembly President Dr Rajendra Prasad on January 24, 1950, that Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, had played a historic role in the freedom struggle and should be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana.