Sethusamudram issue kicks up furore in LS

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today witnessed uproarious scenes for some time over the Sethusamudram Channel project in Tamil Nadu with the BJP members opposing the move to blow up "Ram Setu," located near Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram, as part of the construction of the project.

The issue came up before the Lower House during zero hour when BJP member Yogi Adityanath made a special mention criticising the government for going ahead with the project despite strong opposition from different sections of the people.

"There is a conspiracy to blow up Ram Setu which was built up by Lord Rama," he said, asserting that there were enough evidence to prove this in Ramayana and other Hindu scriptures.

He was supported by his senior party colleague and BJP Deputy Floor leader V K Malhotra, who warned the government against blowing up the "Ram Setu" even when the Sethusamudram issue was pending before the Supreme Court.

"We must protect the Ram Setu...Its blowing up is detrimental to the interests of the nation," Mr Malhotra said, even as the members from the ruling benches stood on their feet shouting at the opposition members.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee restored order after a few minutes of noisy scenes created by both the treasury and opposition sides.

UNI