National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced in Rajya Sabha amid NEET protests

The government on Friday introduced the National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, popularly referred to as the Vande Mataram Bill, in the Rajya Sabha. The proposed legislation seeks to grant the national song Vande Mataram the same legal protection that is currently available to the National Anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

The Bill was tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid noisy protests by Opposition MPs over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak issue.

If passed, the amendment would extend legal safeguards to the singing of Vande Mataram, placing it on par with the National Anthem under the existing law.

The introduction of the Bill drew objections from Opposition parties. CPI MPs P Sandosh Kumar and John Brittas opposed its introduction, with Kumar saying that while he respected Vande Mataram, he believed the legislation was unnecessary and alleged that it sought to create divisions between the legacies of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The Chair asked him to confine his remarks to the provisions of the Bill.

Opposition members also described the legislation as an attempt to "manufacture patriotism" and alleged that it was being brought to divert attention from the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The Bill was introduced amid continued disruptions in Parliament over the NEET row. Opposition MPs raised slogans in both Houses, forcing repeated adjournments. Following the introduction of the legislation, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Monday.

The protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination entered the fifth consecutive day of the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition demanding a detailed discussion on the issue and the resignation of Pradhan.

In the Lok Sabha, proceedings were also disrupted as Opposition members entered the Well of the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared to hold a discussion on NEET and urged the Opposition not to attach preconditions.

Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured the country that stringent legislation would be brought to curb examination paper leaks. The Prime Minister had earlier announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft law providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment for those involved in such offences.

Despite the government's appeal for a discussion, Opposition protests continued, leading to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings till 11 am on Monday.