Congress adopts double standard on Ram Setu-Puri seer

Puri, Jul 25 (UNI) Sankaracharya of Puri Swamy Neeschalananda Saraswati has accused the Congress of adopting a double standard over the Ramsetu issue.

''The government first said there was no existence of Lord Rama but now maintains that Rama had destroyed the setu,'' the Puri seer told newspersons here last night.

''They have forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi professed to establish Ramrajya in the country and at the time of death he uttered 'Hey Ram','' the Swami said adding that the present day Congress politicians were 'acting contrary' to the tenets of the Mahatma. Reiterating his stand over the Ramsetu issue, the seer said almost all political parties showed little interest in protecting it while millions of Hindus adore the setu as a place of pilgrimage.

Till today no other religious body of other faith had spoken against Rama and Ramsetu but the mysterious silence of political parties posed a major concern, he remarked.

The Sankaracharaya asked the Hindus of the country to get united and fight to protect the setu founded by lord Rama. He alleged that the union government was presenting distorted facts in the court but declined to comment further stating that the matter was sub-judice.

He, however, hoped that there were wise, intelligent and honourable persons in the apex court who would find out the truth.

UNI XC-DP PL KLC1339