VHP warns of massive revolt if Ram Setu destroyed

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Warning the government against growing ''public revolt'' if the dismantling of the 'Ram Setu' in Rameshwaram was not stopped, the VHP today said thousands years old national heritage was being destroyed just because of the government's obduracy, despite availibility of a better and inexpensive alternative.

Every country preserves its cultural heritage and its was a shame that the Indian government was bent upon destroying a national and historical icon with which was linked to the faith of millions of Hindus, VHP president Ashok Singhal told mediapersons.

''Ram Setu was the only relic left of Sri Ram's period and we would not let it get destroyed as it was linked to the faith and beliefs of our people.'' Hundreds of years ago it was Babar who destroyed the Ram Temple and today it was UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who was destroying the Ram Setu as it was she who inaugurated the building of the Setu Samudram project, said the VHP chief.

''Despite the fact that five options were available and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) having stated that world's largest thorium reserves, that could take care of India's energy needs for more than a century, were stationed next to the 'Ram Setu', the government under pressure from the US was bent upon destroying the ancient relic.'' The thorium reserves would be washed away if the 'Ram Setu' was broken and moreso the entire coastline would be susceptible to tsunami attacks. Not only this, breaking the 'setu' would also ecologically destroy the entire area, he said.

''Besides this, India's territorial shores would be subject to breaching by foreign ship regularly if the 'setu' is broken.'' Calling it an attack on India's history, faith and 'sanskriti', Mr Singhal said the entire 'sant samaj' of the country was agitated over the government's obstinate behaviour and would come on the streets if its sentiments and faith were harmed.

''It would be a massive revolt, bigger than the Ram Mandir one.'' ''Christian forces were bent on destroying Indian values and culture and Sonia Gandhi was leading the tirade in India. We would fight this conpiracy tooth and nail and with all our might,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the national governing body of the VHP today passed a unanimous resolution asking the government to immediately stop 'dismantling' of the bridge at Rameshwaram and instead declare it an 'ancient monument' of national importance.

The resolution, passed after the two-day meet of the NGB, also warned the government against the move to destroy country's heritage and said a nationwide movement would be launched to protect the Ramsethu.

The government should declare the Ramsethu as an ancient monument under the 'Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1959' respecting the traditional values and beliefs of Hindus, it added.

UNI