Amendments to the 1971 National Honour Act give Vande Mataram equal status with the anthem. The Statement of Objects and Reasons explicitly cites Dr Rajendra Prasad’s historic declaration of January 24, 1950, asserting that Vande Mataram "shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana". Also Read: Vande Mataram Bill explained: What the proposed law says and why it is controversialYet, in practical application, executive implementation often blurs the line between "disrespect" and "non-compliance." Article 51-A(a) and the Statutory BurdenThe legislative attempt to penalize non-compliance with Vande Mataram faces an additional structural hurdle within the Indian Constitution itself. Preserving Constitutional ToleranceA statutory amendment that penalizes disruption but remains silent on the status of respectful silence leaves a dangerous door open to coercion.