VHP warns of Nation wide agitation

New Delhi: If Rama Setu in Tamilnadu is broken, a nation-wide agitation will be the outcome, warned Vishwa Hindu Parishad .

Issuing the warning at a press conference here on wednesday, the senior VHP leader, Mr Ashok Singhal, took strong exception to the Centre’s alleged apathy to sentiments of Hindu masses and its decision to go ahead with the project work.

The VHP leader aided by Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati, general secretary Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, came equipped with a power point presentation, highlighting the need to protect the Sethu . He said there was scientific and historic evidence to prove the existence of the ancient bridge, Ram Sethu. 

In the guise of Setusamudram Channel Project, attempts are ongoing to break Rama Setu which is a monument establishing the Hindu heritage. VHP warned in a press release that if the government does not give up this approach, a nation-wide agitation will be conducted on the lines of Rama Temple movement.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been misleading the people that, while implementing the Setusamudram Channel Project, during the dredging to deepen a shipping channel passage, no damage will be caused to Rama Setu.

Many Hindu organizations have demanded in their petitions to the Government, that abandoning the work ongoing near the Rama Setu as part of the Setusamudram Channel Project, a new alignment should be chosen. “I have written a letter to PM. Let the PM order an halt to the project work. Or, let them (government) be ready to face the combined wrath of sadhus and Hindu society,”  Singhal thundered.  

The further steps to be taken on this serious situation will be decided in the meeting to be held in Ramlila grounds in Delhi by Dharmacharya’s. Before this date, to create awareness among the public, meetings will be conducted.

He said there were other alternative “cost effective” routes available with the government. He said the route over the Ram Sethu was chosen to deliberately hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The government’s indifference to Hindus’ sentiments would have far reaching electoral consequences, he added.

Rama Setu should be declared as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, said Ashok Singhal.