Rama Setu is sacred, place of worship: UOI & SC should NOT play with fire

While Considering the RamSethu Destruction case for SSCP, Supreme Court asked : Is Sethu a place of worship?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/SC_Is_Sethu_a_place_of_worship/articleshow/2954678.cms

*********************************************************************

Comments to SC Remarks

1) Rama Setu is sacred, place of worship: UOI & SC should NOT play with fire

Union of India (UOI) and justice system should NOT play with fire: Rama Setu is sacred and is worshipped. It is a mandiram. It is because of Rama Setu, there is Rameshwaram, no Setupati Raja of Ramnad and Setu yatra is a pilgrimage to one of the four dhaam-s in Hindu tradition for millennia.

Just as US courts protected a mountain held sacred by Navajo, it is the duty of the State and SC to protect and safeguard the civil rights of Hindus. Failure to protect and desecration of a sacred monument, a place of worship, will invoke Section 295 and Section 304 of IPC.

Three facts should be brought to the notice of the Hon’ble SC who seem to be playing with fire.

1.      There is a third S’ivalinga and mandiram in the middle of the Rama Setu. People of faith, desirous of children, go their to perform puja, sankalpa and samudrasnaanam. This is also confirmed by Guru Dasa Swamigal (1848-1929).

2.      Even the Union of India (represented by Setusamudram Corpn) had stated in their affidavit to Madras HC that a viewing gallery would be built at Dhanushkodi for pilgrims to pay obeisance to Rama Setu.

3.      Inauguration of the converted BG line with cantilever bridge at Pamban gap between Manamadurai and Rameshwaram was transferred from Rameshwaram to Manamadurai because people protested against the inconvenience caused to lakhs of pilgrims who visited Rama Setu for worship on that day, Ashadha Amavasya day. About 5 lakh pilgrims visit every year on that day to perform pitru-tarpanam, samudra snaanam and worship Rama Setu. This was the day on

August 12, 2007

when the inauguration session of the broad-gauge line to Rameshwaram by some politicians was transferred, after pilgrims protested, to Manamadurai so as not to cause inconvenience to the pilgrims with the super security measures in place. Such actions of the State contradict the unfounded averment made by the Respondent which raises a serious question in Constitutional law: fundamental duty of the State to protect the citizens’ right to exercise religion and limits to the exercise of State power burdening such exercise.

4.      Today, the Rama Setu is a stretch of tidal-s with continuing ebbs and tides of the

Indian Ocean

leaving the Setu visible; pilgrims stand on the Setu and walk through for some distance from Dhanushkodi to Talaimannar (Srilanka).

5.      Madras HC order which was endorsed by the Hon’ble SC for compliance by respondents noted this statement of the respondent and cited Section 295 of IPC.

Section 295A. Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs








¹




[295A. Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of




²




[citizens of India],




³




[by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise], insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to




⁴




[three years], or with fine, or with both.]

1. Ins. by Act 25 of 1927, s. 2.

2. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “His Majesty’s subjects”.

3. Subs. by Act 41 of 1961, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f.

27-9-1961

)

4. Subs. by Act 41 of 1961, s. 3, for “two years” (w.e.f.

27-9-1961

)

2) Textual evidence (19thcentury) for a third s’ivamandiram located in the middle of Rama Setu

Kumara Guru Dasa Swamigal or Pamban Swamigal 1848-1929 had sung 6666 songs. In the compilation realated to tirthasthana dars’ana, (referred to in Tamil as Tiruvalam); in the second kaanda (kat.t.al.aik kavittur-aikal.), there is a song titled: Tiruccetumatti (In the middle of Rama Setu);

Translation from Tamil rendering is as follows:

In the middle of Rama Setu enveloped by the ocean and the clouds, is the s’ivalinga worshipped by vibhuti-wearing Rama, the Kaakutsa ; I bow down with love imagining S’iva in the form of  Kugesa Muruga who is searching for me and finds me.

This remarkable song emphatically provides literary evidence for the existence of a third s’iva linga on Rama Setu: one is at Rasmes’waram, the other is at Tirukkedees’varam (on the Talaimannar end) and the third is in the middle of Rama Setu.

This textual evidence matches with the tradition held sacred by people of the nation. Grandmothers recall with fondness that their ancestors had performed setutirtham at this Ramar Palam S’ivamandiram praying for the blessing of child-birth (magarperu).

It is the duty of Archaeological Survey of India to find this third s’ivamandiram.

This and other textual and archaeological evidences are contained in the Second Part of Setubandhanam (Ramar Palam), a book authored by R. Subbarayalu and published in March 2008 by Thanjavur, Mamannan Padippagam, 126 Natcattiranagar, Thanjavur 613005. All citizens of the world who adore the heritage of Sri Rama owe an immense debt of gratitude to Shri R. Subbarayulu for publishing updates of the gem of a work, a veritable garland of literary flowers adoring Sri Rama and Rama Setu or Setubandhanam.

This work adds to the evidence recorded in the Madras High Court’s judgement of

19 June 2007

emphatically attesting to the ancient monument, Rama Setu.

It is possible that the cyclone which submerged some portions of Rama Setu in 1480 also submerged this third s’ivamandiram on Ramar Palam (Rama Setu).

Dr. S. Kalyanaraman

3) DO NOT PLAY WITH FIRE:

AN EARNEST APPEAL TO THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF

INDIA

By Colonel Rajan

 

1.        It is indeed distressing to learn that the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other learned Judges of the Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, hearing the Ram Sethu case, had expressed their displeasure, for calling Ram Sethu or Adams Bridge a place of worship; and it is reported that the Hon’ble Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan went on to ask, “Who says it (Ram Sethu) is a place of worship? Who goes to the middle of the sea to worship?” I, Colonel SS Rajan, a committed Hindu and a proud citizen of Bharathvarsh, can only say that, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other learned judges of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on the Bench hearing the case pertaining to Ram Sethu, need to be lauded for their ‘temerity & audacity’ in questioning the faith of a billion Hindus in India and abroad. The attitude of the CJI and other learned Judges hearing the case has only strengthened my view that, in matters of faith, no Court, I repeat no Court should ever be asked to adjudicate; for in matters of faith, no Court; not even the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India or for that matter the International Court of Justice at Hague, has neither the knowledge, competence or jurisdiction to hear such cases; leave alone delivering judgment on such cases. It appears that the CJI of India and the other learned Judges of the Bench hearing the case, have no clue what so ever, regarding the rich cultural & spiritual heritage of Bharathvarsh and in their questioning the historicity & sacredness of Ram Sethu as a place of worship & pilgrimage, they have forfeited their moral right to hear the case any further.

 

 2.       And how sad, that when Dr Subramanian Swamy, who was pressing that the Centre was bound by the Madras High Court order to consider an archaeological probe to declare Ram Sethu as an ancient monument; and that the Madras High Court had also said that, “Ram Sethu has been held by Hindus as sacred and anyone who tries to damage it should be booked for criminal offence under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code”, the Hon’ble bench of the Supreme Court said, “You (petitioners) cannot insist on High Court order when order has been passed by this court”. To say the least, such an observation by the bench headed by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other learned judges, smacks of arrogance, not realizing that this case is not a two penny case; but one that impinges on the religious faith & belief of a billion Hindus in India and all over the World. It has become a fashion for Hindus, especially the so called ‘educated’ Hindus, suited & booted ones, immaterial whether they are Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers or for that matter Judges, to deride Hinduism and to insult and hurt the sentiments of  Hindus with the belief that their esteem would go up in the eyes of the ‘secular’ Indians.

 

3.       I, Colonel SS Rajan, commissioned in the Indian Army on 30 June 1963 and a Veteran of the 1971 War, hereby ask the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other learned Judges of the Bench hearing the case pertaining to Ram Sethu; that in case, someone files a case questioning the historicity & sacredness of the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammed, kept at Hazratbal Shrine in Kashmir, which is venerated by millions of Muslims; would they ever dare to ask, “As to where from the Holy Relic had come and whether a DNA test carried was carried out?” Let me assure the Hon’ble CJI and other learned Judges of the Bench that they would NEVER DARE such a thing; for they are quite aware of the disastrous consequences that would follow. But when it comes to matters of faith of the Hindus, the Hon’ble CJI and other Judges of the Bench glibly believe that they can take liberties by hurting & disparaging Hindu sentiments.

 

4.       I, Colonel SS Rajan, a committed Hindu and a proud citizen of Bharathvarsh, consider it my sacred duty to submit in all humility to the CJI and other learned Judges of the Bench, NOT TO PLAY WITH FIRE; for once the dam of Hindu tolerance bursts, the ensuing Tsunami will wreak havoc of catastrophic proportions. I would also in all humility, urge the CJI and other learned Judges of the Bench, to look around and see as to the happenings in

Nepal

, where a Maoist Tsunami has overtaken the arrogant King & his coterie.

 

JAI HIND. VANDE MATARAM.

 

Postscript

 

http://www.newstodaynet.com/2007sud/may07/290507ss2.htm

I would also humbly submit to the CJI and other learned Judges of the Bench, as to what I had said in this regard, when my colleagues & I were on a ‘padayatra’ from Chennai to Rameshwaram, during the period: 20 May -14 June 2007, covering 650 kilometres in 25 days in the hot summer sun, undertaken as a Tapasya & a prayer to the Lord to save Ram Sethu.

 

‘It is unfortunate that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has refused to entertain the PIL requesting for stay of the ongoing Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. It is absolutely pointless to approach the Supreme Court in matters of faith. The moment the Supreme Court refused to entertain the PIL for grant of stay on the execution of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, fully aware that it is a very sensitive and explosive issue and that no less than the four Shankaracharyas together, have expressed their grave concern that the destruction of the Sacred Rama Sethu would hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus, the Supreme Court has willy nilly lost its moral right to adjudicate further in the matter or has willy nilly abdicated its authority and thus allowed things to drift to the detriment of public interest, which it is supposed to protect. Neither the Supreme Court nor the International Court of Justice in Hague, can adjudicate in matters of ‘faith & belief’ of 800 millions of Hindus in

India

and millions of Hindus living out side

India

. It is time that the Hindu masses decided that it is their sovereign right to stand up and fight against tyranny and not allow their religious sentiments to be trampled upon. The Supreme Court ought to know that for more than 800 millions of Hindus in India and millions of Hindus outside India throughout the world that Rameshwaram and the RAMA SETHU BRIDGE is as holy and as sacred as the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem to the Jews, the Vatican in Rome to the Roman Catholics, the Bodhgaya in Bihar to the Buddhists and Mecca in Saudi Arabia to the Muslims. Centuries ago it was proclaimed that, ‘Be Yee Men of Valour and Be in Readiness for War! For it is better to perish in battle, than to see the outrage of your Altar!’ And the time for battle for DHARMA has come. It is time the HINDUS came together as ONE and deal firmly & decisively with one & all who are bent on destroying the Sacred Rama Sethu. I wish to remind all authorities- both high & low, that the day when a HINDU wave or Tsunami strikes, it shall not spare any oppressor and shall leave behind colossal amount of destruction in its wake. And it is only a matter of time that it will happen. And I also wish to assure all authorities – high & low, that the HINDUS shall NOT allow the Sacred Rama Sethu to be destroyed, come what may. The HINDUS shall shed their blood and sacrifice their lives rather than see the destruction of their alter. DHARMO RAKSHATI RAKSHITAHA. Those who abide by Dharma, are protected by Dharma.”

 

4) Mr V Sundaram, IAS (Retd) wrote:

 

s a political Hindu, spiritual Hindu, cultural Hindu, social Hindu and economic Hindu, and above all as an insignificant free lance journalist I would invite the kind attention of the Supreme Court of India not to forget or overlook the following words of timeless wisdom of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841-1935), one of the greatest names in the history of Law and Jurisprudence in dealing with the explosive and cataclysmic issue of saving the Rama Sethu Bridge from planned destruction by the UPA government in collusion with the anti-Hindu DMK government of Tamilnadu: ‘The first requirement of a sound body of law is, that it should correspond with the actual feelings of the community, whether right or wrong. Law is a settlement of the circumstances in which the public force will be brought to bear upon men through the Courts of Law.’

 

5) Comments By Sri Veda Prakash

 

The Bench comprising Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and R. V. Raveendran who seemed to be sceptical of the claim about Sethu.

 

“How is Ram Sethu a place of worship? Do not argue that people go there and worship Ram Sethu. It is not Rameswaram, but far from it” were the questions from them, as per TOI (

April 16, 2008

).

 

This raises a reasonable doubt about the honourable and learned judges of Supreme Court as to whether they are biased against and pre-conceived about Ram Sethu. Politician can have doubts or create doubts; common people have doubts, but can learned Supreme Court Judges, who are to decide the case, have doubts?

The following facts are brought to the notice of the learned and honourable Judges:

È    How is Ram Sethu a place of worship?Ram Sethu had been a place of worship. Even today, people go to Kodikkarai to offer Tarpana to their forefathers, as naturally, they cannot go to the submerged portion to offer and pray.

È    Perhaps, the Judges are thinking just like Triveni Sangamam, there would be constructed wooden platform, where the pilgrims would be taken in a boat, priests would be sitting there, and the pilgrims reach and offer their prayers, perform rites and ceremonies and then come back.

È     Till the Ram Sethu structure was submerged, the people were going there as could be seen from the Tamil poets recording in their poems. Pamban Swamigal has been perhaps the recent witness. When the structure submerged, the point of worship naturally shifts, if Triveni-Sangamam like arrangement was not made.

È    Now people go up to KothandaramarTemple by auto or private vehicles. Thereafter, they hesitate to go. The autowalas inform that it is not safe to go there to Danuskodi, as we have to pass through the fishermen’s villages and Monram Chatiram. Thus, people with family hesitate to go there.

È    Of course, the fishermen offer Jeep-service to reach Danuskodi, but they charge exorbitantly. Only overenthusiastic youth and some committed pilgrims go there.

È    Therefore, the conduct of rites and rituals stop at seashore of Rameswaram instead of actually going to Danuskodi, the ultimate point.

È    Therefore, that at present, people could not go to Rama Sethu, pray and offer does not mean that they were not doing some 200 years back or before its complete submergence.

È    12 kilometres from town, Kothandaramar temple was the only structure to survive as the 1964 cyclone which washed away the rest of the village. In fact, the entire Danuskodu Railway station was submerged. Some left out, twisted rails could be seen on the sandy roads leading to Danuskodi even today.

È    Upto 1964, the people were going to Danuskodi by train and offering prayers.

È    Now, we know for the last more than thirty years, there had been LTTE

Responses