New Delhi

Rajya Sabha on Wednesday took up a discussion on a bill to make insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence, notwithstanding noisy protests by opposition parties who later staged a walkout from the House.

As soon as the House convened in the post-lunch session, Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged protesting members to maintain discipline and decorum.

When the Chair took up the discussion over the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 -- which was listed for consideration and passing in the list of business, the opposition parties started protesting and sloganeering seeking a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police force against NEET paper leak demonstrators in the national capital.

They also raised slogans demanding his presence in the House.

Amid protests by the opposition, the Deputy Chairman continued the House proceedings and called members, whose names were received for speaking in the discussion.

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Meanwhile, the opposition parties continued to raise their demand and later staged a walkout from the House when Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was speaking on the proposed legislation.

The bill seeks to make desecration of or disrespect towards the country's national symbols, including the national flag, the Constitution, and the national anthem, a criminal offence, with a provision of up to three years' imprisonment.