Vande Mataram Granted Legal Status Equivalent to National Anthem

Vande Mataram Granted Legal Status Equivalent to National Anthem

The Government of India has recently approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to grant Vande Mataram legal status equivalent to the national anthem on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The proposed amendment seeks to extend legal protection against insult or obstruction similar to safeguards already available for the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandamath (1882). During India’s freedom movement, the song became a powerful symbol of anti-colonial nationalism and inspired many revolutionaries and political movements. On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly recognised Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem while granting Vande Mataram equal respect as the national song.