India, July 30 -- A Bill to criminalise intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, giving it the same legal protection currently accorded to the national anthem, was passed with a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, amid the Opposition's uproar over police action against students protesting NEET paper leak.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides for a three-year imprisonment, fine, or both for anyone found guilty of intentionally preventing or causing a disturbance to any assembly engaged in singing the national song.

The existing law provided punishment for intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem Jana Gana Mana or causing dis...