Hindu Munnani wants Ramar Sethu as heritage structure

Chennai, July 9 (UNI) Hindu Munnani Leader Rama Gopalan today urged the Centre to declare Ramar Sethu as a 'National Heritage' structure.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Gopalan said the opinion and views of the public, ecologists, Archaeological and Geological Surveys of India should be taken into account on the Ramar Sethu issue.

Urging the Centre to go for a new alignment for the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP), he wanted the Centre to declare Ramar Sethu as part of national heritage.

''A government which respected the feelings of the minorities had not thought it right to heed to the sentiments of Hindu majority,'' he claimed.

Warning of ''volcanic eruptions'' in the country if Ramar Bridge was damaged, he said the Rameswaram Ram Sethu Protection Movement (RRSPM) would hold a conference in Madurai on July 22 to decide the future course of action.

VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia along with saints and Hindu leaders would participate.

'We have also invited various political parties cutting across caste lines to the conference,' he said.

UNI