NEW DELHI, July 20 -- The Union government has listed a bill that will make any insult or obstruction to the singing of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' a punishable offence for introduction in the monsoon session beginning Monday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce the Bill, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. As per its provision, the National Song will have the same legal protection as the National Anthem, the national flag and the constitution. Earlier the Union Cabinet had cleared a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. As per the provisions of the bill, violation will invoke up to three years in prison, a fine, or both for obstructing or insulting the rendition of the song. The Union home ministry has earlier issued a direction to states, making playing or singing the national song mandatory at official events where the national anthem is played. The National Anthem has to follow the National Song as per the protocol. The ministry also directed that all six stanzas of the national song, which is 3.10 minutes long, should be sung. Meanwhile, CPI (M)'s John Brittas in a letter to Shah expressed deep concern over the proposed bill. "While the profound contribution of Vande Mataram to India's freedom movement is beyond dispute, the proposed amendment departs from the carefully evolved constitutional settlement that has governed the status of the National Anthem," he said....