Shankaracharya's ultimatum to Centre on Ram Setu

Narsinghpur, MP, June 8 (UNI) Dwarika Peeth's Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati today warned of launching a massive agitation if the decision to demolish the Ram Setu off Rameshwaram coast was not withdrawn within two weeks.

''Ram Setu Raksha Samiti will stage a strong protest if the centre did not concede its demand to abolish the Setu Samudram project,'' said the Shankaracharya while addressing his devotees at his Ashram at Jhoteshwar in this district.

''The centre's adamant attitude was compelling people, who have faith in Indian culture, to adopt harsh means'', he said.

''Our future generations will never forgive us if we failed to safeguard Ram Setu'' said the Shankaracharya, alleging that the government was attempting to mislead public on this issue.

At present, the Shankaracharya lamented, a situation had evolved wherein only those who resorted to violent means were heard while those who followed the path of Mahatma Gandhi were ignored. ''This is not good in a democracy'', he added.

Swami Swaroopanand called upon his followers to brace themselves up for the struggle rising above political considerations.

UNI