Centre to Table Bill Making Insult to 'Vande Mataram' a Criminal Offence

The Union government is set to table a Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday that seeks to make any insult to 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offence. The proposed legislation comes three months after the Supreme Court ruled that not singing the national song does not attract any penal provision.

What the Bill Proposes

The Bill, expected to be moved by the government, prescribes a jail term of up to three years for anyone found guilty of insulting 'Vande Mataram'. This includes acts that disturb the rendition of the song or show deliberate disrespect towards it.

Officials have indicated that the measure is aimed at preventing any form of public denigration or intentional disruption when the song is being sung or played. The exact text of the Bill is yet to be made public.

Context Behind the Move

The development follows a recent Supreme Court observation that there is no legal obligation to sing 'Vande Mataram', and that failure to do so does not invite any penalty. The court had made this remark while hearing a case related to the song.

The government's decision to bring a new law appears to be a direct response to that ruling. It seeks to create a specific legal provision against insults, which the current framework does not explicitly address.

Political and Legal Reactions

Opposition parties have questioned the timing of the Bill and its potential misuse. Some have argued that existing laws on sedition and public order are sufficient to deal with any disrespect to national symbols.

Legal experts point out that the government will need to clearly define what constitutes an 'insult' to avoid ambiguity. They have also cautioned against provisions that could be used to target dissent or artistic expression.

What Happens Next

The Bill is scheduled to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha later today. Once tabled, it will be debated before being sent to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.

If passed, the law will amend the existing legal framework to make 'Vande Mataram' explicitly protected against insults, similar to provisions already in place for the national anthem.