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Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 12 times

Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 is a parliamentary statute that penalises deliberate disrespect to India's national symbols. It was enacted to protect the dignity of the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem.

Key details
  • Section 2: Prohibits burning, mutilating, defacing, or showing disrespect to the National Flag or the Constitution of India; punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or fine, or both.
  • Section 3: Prohibits intentional prevention of singing of Jana Gana Mana or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing; same penalty — up to three years imprisonment, or fine, or both.
  • The proposed amendment would add a new provision (or expand Section 3) to include Vande Mataram within this protective framework.
  • Note: The 1971 Act does not currently mention Vande Mataram, which has no statutory protection for disrespect — only the national anthem does.
In the news

Tracked since May 05, 2026 · last seen July 30, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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