The Bill seeks to place Vande Mataram on the same legal footing as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by extending to it the existing penal provisions of the 1971 Act. At present, the Act penalises intentional prevention of the singing of the National Anthem and causing disturbance to an assembly engaged in its singing. According to the government, the move is intended to ensure that the national song receives the same legal protection and respect as the National Anthem. Instead, it extends the same statutory safeguards and penalties already applicable to the National Anthem to the national song. Supporters of the measure argue that it fills a long-standing omission in the law by granting the national song explicit statutory protection.