Vande Mataram to be a Punishable Offense in India
Following the recent political developments in West Bengal, the Indian government has taken a historic decision to give the national song Vande Mataram the same status as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. This means that disrespecting the national song will now attract legal punishment or fines, similar to the penalties for disrespecting the national anthem.
The decision was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 5. The amendment was made to the National Emblem Protection Act, 1971 to safeguard national pride and respect for Vande Mataram.