New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha Wednesday passed a bill to make insult to national song ‘Vande Mataram’ a criminal offence. He mentioned several instances where ‘Vande Mataram’ was used as the last words by many freedom fighters while sacrificing their lives for the country. He said ‘Vande Mataram’ is needed for the promise of “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat”. The bill, which was introduced in the House July 24, seeks to give Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’. This step by the government comes amid the year-long celebrations of the150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.