Indian Muslim leaders have voiced deep concern after Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on Thursday. The measure makes deliberate disrespect for or obstruction of the national song Vande Mataram an offence, punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. It gives Vande Mataram legal status equal to the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
In a statement released Friday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board said the law runs counter to the Constitution, secularism and democratic values, and seriously harms citizens’ religious freedom. Its spokesperson, Dr S. Q. R. Ilyas, said any attempt to make Vande Mataram compulsory for people of all religions and communities was objectionable and contrary to fundamental constitutional principles.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Arshad Madani similarly called the bill contrary to the Constitution and religious freedom, describing it as an effort to divert attention from people’s real problems for electoral politics. He said Muslims do not object to anyone singing or reciting the song, but some sections do not align with Islamic belief and Muslims cannot be compelled to sing or accept it. The board said only its first two verses were adopted nationally after Constituent Assembly discussions.
আমার দেশ অনলাইন প্রকাশ : ০১ আগস্ট ২০২৬, ১৯: ২৫ ‘বন্দে মাতরম’কে আইনগতভাবে বাধ্যতামূলক করা এবং এর অবমাননাকে শাস্তিযোগ্য অপরাধ হিসেবে ঘোষণায় গভীর উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছেন ভারতীয় মুসলিমরা। তাদের মতে, এ আইন ভারতীয় নাগরিকদের সংবিধানপ্রদত্ত ধর্মীয় স্বাধীনতা ও স
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