The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the bill to make insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The Parliament's upper house began debating the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which had been scheduled in the agenda for consideration and approval.
The bill was initially introduced on Friday, July 24, by Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs.
The debate was marked by protests and slogans from opposition parties, demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged use of police force against demonstrators protesting the NEET paper leak in the national capital.
The Opposition also staged a walkout amid discussion over bill.
The proposed amendment seeks to expand the scope of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by bringing within its ambit acts of intentionally obstructing the rendition of the national song or creating disturbances during its singing.
These offences may result in imprisonment for up to three years, a monetary fine, or both.
In the case of a second and any subsequent conviction, the punishment includes a minimum of one year of imprisonment.