New Delhi, June 2 -- Slamming the controversy over 'Vande Mataram', Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the national song does not belong to any specific religion or state and demanded an end to political sparring over the issue.

Union Minister's remarks come in the wake of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) opposing the West Bengal government's decision to make the rendering of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory.

Speaking on the issue, Rijiju stated, "Vande Mataram is the national song of the entire nation. It does not belong exclusively to me, to you, to any single state, or to any specific religion; it is a national song."

He further emphasised that the song commands universal respect across the country and should be ke...