Withdraw affidavit on Ramasethu: BJP to Centre

Jaipur, Sep 12 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today urged the Centre to withdraw an affidavit jointly submitted by the government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Supreme Court, denying the authenticity of mythological importance to the Ramasethu.

Talking to reporters here, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the affidavit before the apex court was a bid to deny the authenticity of Ramayana and all of its events.

He said this was utter insult to ancient Hindu heritage and belief and it was not tolerable at any cost.

Alleging that the UPA government was doing so at the behest of the Church and Leftist supporters, Mr Javadekar said today's nation-wide agitation was an expression of anguish by the people and the government must not hurt the religious sensibilities of public.

''If the government fails to withdraw the affidavit, the BJP and other like-minded people will resort to agitation,'' he said.

Mr Javadekar said the Sethusamudram project could be implemented without touching the Ramasethu and the government should opt for other options without destroying the''symbol of our mythological heritage''.

UNI