Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Government Proposes Criminalizing Vande Mataram Insults Amid Low Conviction Rates
The Indian government has proposed a new law to make insulting the national song Vande Mataram a crime, similar to the national anthem.
This comes as data shows that from 2014 to 2024, there have been 699 cases of insulting national symbols, with only 60 convictions.
Critics say the law is unnecessary and could be used to suppress free speech, especially since most cases end in acquittals.
The government believes it will help protect national honor.
The Indian government proposed an amendment to criminalize insults to Vande Mataram.
Data shows 699 cases of insulting national symbols from 2014 to 2024, with only 60 convictions.
Critics argue the law is unnecessary and could suppress dissent.
The pendency rate of such cases is high, with 358 cases pending in 2024.
The government aims to align the protection of Vande Mataram with that of the national anthem.
- Who
- The Indian government and critics
- What
- Proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to include Vande Mataram
- When
- During the Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To strengthen national honor and protect the national song Vande Mataram
Government's Stance
Critics' Stance
Legislation and Enforcement
Government's Stance
The government aims to strengthen national honor by criminalizing insults to Vande Mataram, aligning it with the protection given to the national anthem.
Critics' Stance
Critics argue that the legislation is unnecessary and could be used to suppress dissent, given the low conviction rates and high pendency of cases.
- Total Cases (2014-2024)
- 699
- Average Cases per Year
- 64
- Total Arrests (2014-2024)
- 1,102
- Total Convictions (2014-2024)
- 60
- Pending Cases (2024)
- 358
- Convictions (2024)
- 6
- Acquittals (2024)
- 10
- Pendency Rate (2024)
- 95.2%