The Hindu : National : VHP saints to protect “Ram Setu”

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Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
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VHP saints to protect “Ram Setu”

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Coming together under the banner of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), saints from all across the country, including Shankaracharyas of two of the four “peethas”, on Wednesday pledged to launch a “democratic movement” for preventing the dismantling of “Ram Setu”, or Adam’s Bridge, under the Sethusamudram project.

In a proposal at the two-day 13th “Dharm Sansad” (religion parliament) of the VHP, it was said that saints, along with common people, scientists, environmentalists, archaeologists and marine scientists would create a movement to prevent the United Progressive Alliance Government from going ahead with the project.

The proposal said the project would not only ‘hurt’ Hindu sentiments, as “Ram Setu” was a focal point of their faith, but also spell disaster for the livelihoods of several fishermen. It would make the coastal areas more vulnerable to natural calamities like the tsunami. The marine ecosystem of the area would also be affected.

Addressing the gathering, VHP’s international general secretary Praveen Togadia accused the UPA of minority appeasement.

“The Government is ready to change the path of the Metro rail in the capital to protect the Qutab Minar. Why can’t it have an alternative for the Sethusamudram project?” he asked.

Talking to media persons, VHP’s Acharya Giriraj Kishore said no political party would be part of the movement.

However, if the parties on their own wanted to create awareness about the negative impact of the project they were always welcome, he said. The “plan of action” would be announced on Thursday.

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