‘Stop passing the Buck’ on Ramsethu- NRI Hindus to Manmohan

The Save Ram Sethu Campaign, supported by Hindu groups from around the world, expresses profound disappointment with Government of India’s latest affidavit in which the Government has prayed to the Supreme Court to vacate the stay on the demolition of Ram Sethu and allow it to continue with the dredging operations to create the “Sethu Samudram ‘Shipping’ Channel Project” (SSCP). The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the reworded affidavit of the Government of India on 05 March 2008.

In this fresh affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on February 29, 2008, the Government of India contends that available scientific evidence points to the fact that “Ram Sethu” is a natural formation. The latest affidavit is primarily based on a report submitted by the “Committee of Eminent Persons” – a group whose members the Government had hand picked to examine the issue. This group had convened in Chennai from October 29 to November 3, 2007.

Captain Hariharan Balakrishnan, (Indian Navy, & Master Mariner and former Commanding Officer of guided missile frigate INS Trishul) who has provided some invaluable analysis of the viability of the Sethu Samudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) from a ‘Mariner’s Perspective’, has identified several gaping holes that expose the inanity of this report from the standpoint of National Security. Similar concerns have been submitted by a team of “three Geologists”, in their analysis from a geological perspective. Despite submitting their analysis, orally as well as in writing to the “Committee of Eminent Persons”, the “three Geologists” are chagrined to find that no reference is made to their analysis in the “Final Report” of this Committee!

The Save Ram Sethu Campaign is concerned that in spite of being the “largest democracy” in the world, the Government of India has failed to call for a referendum or public approval of this perhaps, the most provocative and controversial project in the history of free India involving more than 80% of its population and millions of Hindus worldwide. Under such circumstances it is scandalous that the government continues to ignore the religious sentiments of a billion plus Hindus. Ram Sethu’s fate should not have to be decided in the courts and the latest affidavit by the Government of India is tantamount to trampling upon the feelings, sentiments, emotions and religious values and heritage of the entire Hindu population and it is a sad reflection upon the style of actual functioning of the country’s “democracy”.
 
The supporters of the Save Ram Sethu Campaign believe that the secular Indian Supreme Court should not involve itself in rulings concerning religious beliefs. The supporters of the campaign express grave concern that the Government of India is evading its responsibilities as its latest affidavit appears to be a politically motivated, deliberate and a willful ploy to shift the burden of its democratic responsibility to the Courts. If this government really believes in human rights, rule of law and true democracy, it would resolve the issue through the well-established democratic norm of ‘dialogue’ with all concerned.
 
The Save Ram Sethu Campaign expresses indignation and outrage that the fate of Ram Sethu now shifts to India’s Apex Court and asks, “Will the Court ‘vacate’ the ‘stay’ or maintain status quo?”
 
The Save Ram Sethu Campaign requests Mr. Manmohan Singh to stop passing the buck as now is the time for him to show true leadership and declare Ram Sethu a “Historic National Heritage Site”.

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