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Won't damage Ram Sethu which links SL: India

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24 November 2017 11:44 am - 5     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Indian government has decided not to go ahead with the original alignment of Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project or any other alignment that damages the Ram Sethu or Adam's Bridge which loosely connects Sri Lanka.

The Times of India yesterday said the decision had been taken keeping with the government’s political objectives while also addressing environmental concerns.

The canal was proposed by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), more particularly by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) that held charge of the shipping portfolio, and was vigorously opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the grounds that this will harm the Ram Sethu associated with Lord Ram's passage to Sri Lanka.

Environmentally, the project was criticised for endangering the fragile marine bio-diversity of the waters separating Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Advocacy of the Ram Sethu meshes with BJP's attempts to create a Hindutva vote in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while appealing to local tradition.

The decision to file a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court making this stand clear was taken by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday during his meeting with a few Cabinet colleagues, sources said.

"The shipping ministry will now put a detailed proposal for approval of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) to file a fresh affidavit. Once the affidavit is approved, it will be submitted in the Supreme Court," a source said.

Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari has said in 2014 that the "sacred structure associated with Lord Ram" won't be damaged at any cost and his ministry was exploring other options.

"Very soon I will get the Namo Govt to say in SC that they will not touch Ram Sethu and will make it a National Heritage Monument," BJP law maker Subramanian Swamy has tweeted a few hours after the government decided to file fresh affidavit. Swamy is one of the petitioners.

Indian Government officials said the new affidavit would suggest alternative routes for developing the channel so that the Ram Sethu is not touched.

UPA had courted a major controversy after it had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that there was no proof of Ram Sethu being a place of worship. Later it was withdrawn.


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  • HR Friday, 24 November 2017 11:56 AM

    Idiotic Indians Really Think That Lord Rama Coming To Sri Lanka To Rescue Sitta was real and not part of ancient tales.

    vithura Friday, 24 November 2017 07:00 PM

    Just as the Sinhalese believing in Mahavamsa!!!

    nimal Friday, 24 November 2017 09:41 PM

    Ramayana is not a anciant tales.It is an Epic which not proof by scientific observations.but it could happen was like iliad and odyssey

    Anja Friday, 24 November 2017 01:39 PM

    This is so called ahaka inna nai malle dagenima via DM Android App

    Rocky Saturday, 25 November 2017 11:46 AM

    Anyway this is a great news to us. If they carry out this project, our port economy will be in trouble,and our northern natural environment too.


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