VHP protests slander against Lord Rama

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a fortnight long campaign here to protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhis slanderous remarks against their revered Lord Rama.

Bhopal/New Delhi, Sept. 28 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a fortnight long campaign here to protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's slanderous remarks against their revered Lord Rama.

The protestors distributed copies of the holy epic Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana and vowed to protect Lord Rama's "living legacy."

"This protest will travel all over the country and all the members of our organisation and many other Hindu organisations will be a part of this march. We will save the Ram Sethu from destruction," said Mohanand Saraswati, a protester.

Karunanidhi, a self claimed atheist, had questioned the existence of Lord Rama, saying it was a fallacy as tall as the Himalayas.

Karunanidhi's statement had come amidst a raging row over an affidavit filed by the Centre before the apex court earlier this month in support of the ship lane project, saying that Hinduism's most important texts are not proof of the existence of Hindu gods.

The Central Government has since backtracked on the 'affidavit' and sought three months time from the court to file an amended one.

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Ambika Soni also suspended two directors at its Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while it investigates the lapse.

"Care will be taken to avoid any injustice being done to anyone. As soon as the findings of the report are made public, action will be taken against defaulters," she said in New Delhi.

The government had filed the affidavit in order to defend its plan to build a canal over a bridge-like stretch of sandbank and rock between the Indian and Sri Lanka coasts. The formation is variously known as the Adam's Bridge and Ram Sethu.

Hindus have opposed the project, believing the bridge was built millennia ago by Lord Ram, as described in the mythological epic Ramayana. The government however claims that the ocean moulded the structure.

The 560-million-dollar Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project is intended to save up to 36 hours of travel time between India's eastern coast and Sri Lanka's western coast.

Conservationists say the project will harm marine life and the livelihood of fisher folks.

ANI