UPA responsible to protect Ram Sethu: Jaya

Chennai, Sep 26 (UNI) The UPA at the Centre had the responsibility to protect Ram Sethu, whether it was man made or natural, AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa said today.

Addressing the party workers, while leading a protest demonstration, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, for his remarks against Lord Ram, she said even if we agreed that the bridge was natural, it should be protected as a heritage as it existed for 17.5 lakh years.

Dismissing the argument that the bridge could be demolished as it was not built by man, but a natural formation, she said even the Himalaya was natural and wanted to know whether it could be demolished.

The Everest on Himalaya was also natural and whether it could be demolished for a hill station to attract tourists, she asked.

She said though there were five other alignments to carry out dredging work and implement the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), Mr Karunanidhi and Union Minister T R Baalu were adamant on demolishing Ram Sethu, she charged.

Referring to Mr Karunanidhi's poser as whether Lord Ram was an engineer to build the bridge, Ms Jayalalithaa asked whether Karikalan, who had built the Grand Annaicut, King Raja Raja Cholan, who built the Big Temple and Shajahan who built Taj Mahal were engineers.

She said there was a clear reference in Ramayana that Ram Sethu was built by Viswa Karma, an engineer and son of Nalan, who was also an engineer. Mr Karunanidhi could check this fact, by reading Ramayana, she said.

The Centre should initiate action against Mr Karunanidhi for ridiculing Lord Ram and hurting the sentiments of Hindus.

What Mr Karunanidhi had remarked about Lord Ram was a clear case of blasphemy, which was punishable under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which would provide seven years imprisoment,'' she added.

There were people of many religions in the country and Hindus were in majority, she said. The Centre and State Governments should not forget that the majority Hindus had voted for them to power.

UNI