His remarks came after the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24. The proposed legislation seeks to grant the national song 'Vande Mataram' the same legal and statutory protection currently enjoyed by the national anthem

The announcement was made by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawade during the BMC general body meeting on Thursday. She informed members that the seat held by Deepak Sawant from Ward No. 111 in Kanjurmarg had become vacant following the committee's decision