Ram Sethu only a natural formation: Karunanidhi

Chennai, Sep 1: A day after the Supreme Court restrained the Sethusamudram Corporation from causing damage to 'Ram Sethu' (Adam's bridge), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today reiterated that it was only a natural formation and not a human creation.

Answering a set of questions, the DMK patriarch disputed the argument by the followers of Lord Ram that 'Ram Sethu' was built by Monkey God Hanuman and fellow monkeys to connect Rameshwaram with Sri Lanka.

''It is only a puranik belief that Adam's bridge was constructed by Lord Ram's followers (as stated in epic Ramayana). It has no scientific basis,'' he said, asserting that it was only a natural formation.

Mr Karunanidhi said that besides, late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, several historians and experts have described Ramayana as an epic, portraying the conflict between the Aryans and Dravidians.

In defence of the ongoing Sethusamudram Shipping Channel project, which could be implemented after dredging the Adam's bridge, the Chief Minister said those interested in the welfare of the country should realise the benefits of the project. They should realise that the project, if implemented, would not only benefit Tamil Nadu, but also the neighbouring states and pave way for economic development, he added.

UNI