Save Sree Ram Setu

AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa on Wednesday, accused Union Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu of making attempts to destroy the proofs regarding the existence of Ramar Sethu or Adams Bridge in the Palk Straits.

Amidst the Sangh Parivar's opposition to dredging in the Ramar Sethu or Adam's Bridge area in Palk Straits for the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project, Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu spent more than four hours at the historic Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur, sifting through ancient documents and the Ramayana.

During the discussion session held at Ruia college hall in Mumbai on behalf of 'Indian Historical Compilation Committee (IHCC)', experts expressed their views that demolition of 'Ram-setu' will result in not only collapse of Hindus religious faith but it will also be wrecking of a bridge which is a central-point that joins ancient Indian culture with the aboriginal Indian culture.

The Taj corridor scheme on the banks of river Yamuna was stopped by the Supreme Court on the ground that it would threaten the historic Taj Mahal.

Refuting the claim of a scientist that there is no-man made structure called Rama Sethu or Adam's bridge between Mandapam at Rameswaram and Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka, Swami Dayananda Saraswati (who is a scholar in such matters) has cited the study of a geologist to reaffirm his position that a bridge had indeed been built by humanity at the present site.

What experts say: S Badrinarayanan, former director of Geological Survey of India and a member of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) says the Adam's Bridge was not a natural formation.

"The Central government should leave Ram Setu untouched and come forward with an alternative alignment for the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal before May 13, 2007. If it fails to do so, a very very big struggle will follow.

It has been mentioned in the epic 'Ramayana' that Prabhu Sree Rama had built the 'setu' with the help of Monkey brigade. The secular Congress Government is, however, all set to demolish the 'setu' and construct a canal. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) submitted a representation in this regard demanding that demolition of the 'setu' should be immediately stopped. The representation was given to the district collector. A warning has also been given in the said representation to stage demonstrations, take out marches etc. to save the 'setu'.

Demonstration was held by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Hindu organizations to protest against the Central Government's scheme to demolish 'Ram-Setu' under its project 'Setu-Samudram' and killings of 5 Hindus in Kashmir.

Opposing any move to "destroy the Rama Sethu", popularly known as Adam's Bridge, in the Palk Straits for digging the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal, VHP today warned of an "uprising by Hindus," if the Centre went ahead with the work.

Scientists, greens and politicians are coming together to spearhead a new wave of protests against the Sethusamudram shipping canal in the south of India, claiming dangers to environment and Hindu religious symbols.

Vishva Hindu Parishad has written a letter to Governement of India including President about Ram-Setu issue. In that letter VHP demanded to Re-Align the Sethusamudram Project; Leave the Adi-Sethu/Ram Setu unscathed and officially notify it an Ancient Monument

Sree 'Rama Setu' was built about 17 lakh and 25 thousand years ago to connect India with Sri Lanka. The present Government has granted permission to demolish this 'Setu' under the pretext of construction of a new canal.

Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti has organized an awareness program on 29th April 2007, on the issue of Ram Setu. The said program will be addressed by Dr. S. Kalyanraman (Prominent Ideologist), a well known researcher in the project for the revival of river Saraswati.

I have visited Rama's bridge near Rameshwaram. I went there last year. Though the place assumes a lot of importance historically and religiously, there is no sign board or organised tourism to this place.