VHP to launch nationwide stir against Ram Sethu demolition

Kochi, Aug 20 (UNI) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) will launch a nationwide agitation from Rameswaram on August 26 to protest against the Centre's decision to demolish the historic Ramsethu to pave way for the Sethusamudram project at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

Talking to reporters here today, VHP Central Secretary Mohan Joshi said the Centre's decision would adversely affect the sentiments of millions of Hindus, apart from the environmental hazards caused by the demolition.

''If the Government went ahead with the demolition, the ecology would be disturbed and natural calamities like tsunami would wreak havoc in the region,'' he said, adding that the nation would also lose the region's thorium deposits.

He alleged that the Government was playing into the hands of the US imperialism and this would harm the interests of the nation.

Mr Joshi, also the national member of 'Rameswaram Ramsethu Samrakshanam', said the party would organise a rally to Parliament in December to protest against the decision.

He took exception to the Kerala Government's decision to honour painter M F Hussain. ''Mr Hussain has through his paintings of Hindu dieties wounded the religious beliefs of the community and the Government's decision to honour him was condemnable,'' he said.

UNI