Singhal calls a halt to re-aligned Sethusamundaram project

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) PresidentAshok Singhal today demanded a reevaluation of the realigned Sethusamudram Project, saying that the original Ram Setu should be left uscathed and officially notified as an ancient monument.

New Delhi, May 2 : Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) PresidentAshok Singhal today demanded a reevaluation of the realigned Sethusamudram Project, saying that the original Ram Setu should be left uscathed and officially notified as an ancient monument.

Describing it as a sentimental issue for the majority Hindu population, Singhal said that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other right-wing organisations had time and again conveyed to the government that they are not against The Setu Samudram Channel Project (SSCP), but were against a tampering with ancient Indian history.

Singhal also said that he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, asking him to stop the SSCP project and give an ancient monument status to the Ram Setu under the Section 4(1) of the Ancient Monument and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1959.

He blamed VHP opponents for hatching a conspiracy to finish the only site built by God himself.

"It is said that the bridge is built by God himself. So, it is more sacred and has sentiment attached to it. Since they (opponents) say that there was no Ram and Sita, therefore, they want to finish the only sign of the bridge constructed by God himself. They want to kill our (Hindu) culture and our religion. The issue is sentimental and can lead to disaster. The issue of Ram Janam Bhoomi began since they didn't permit construction of the temple there, but if the bridge is destroyed, then it will cost the government dearly," Ashok Singhal, the President of the VHP, warned

Singhal opined that the SSCP project could be achieved without causing harm to the ancient bridge, but the government was not playing ball on the issue.

The VHP would now seek public support for its camapign to save the Ram Setu, he said.

ANI