Cabinet nod to make insult to Vande Mataram punishable offence

NEW DELHI: (May 6) The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to make any obstruction to the singing of the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence.

This gives Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.

The Act, at present, protects the national anthem, the national flag and the Constitution from any insults.