New Delhi: Insulting the national flag or national anthem may land a person in prison for one to three years, with the Union Cabinet deciding to make more stringent the punishment for the offence.

The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, decided to amend the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act of 1971, an official spokesman told reporters.

The amendment was aimed at defining "insult" at greater length by including serious disrespect within the purview of insults.

It seeks to provide a minimum imprisonment of one year and a maximum of three years, fine or both in case of second or subsequent offence of deliberate insult to the national flag or the offence of intentionally preventing singing of the national anthem or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing.

PTI