India’s Parliament has officially moved to elevate the status of the national song, 'Vande Mataram,' by passing the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill. With this legislative change, the song now receives the same legal protections as the National Anthem. Under the new rules, any intentional act of disrespect toward the song is considered a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. This move aligns the song with other national symbols already protected under the law, such as the Indian Constitution and the national flag.

The bill passed through both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha this week, amidst a backdrop of political tension in the lower house. This shift in policy arrives as the nation celebrates the 150th anniversary of the composition, which was penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay for his novel 'Anandamath.' Complementing this legislation, the Union Home Ministry has also mandated that whenever 'Vande Mataram' is performed at official functions alongside the National Anthem, all six stanzas of the song must be sung.