'Ram Setu issue cannot be disposed'

Lucknow, Sep16: Castigating the UPA government at the Centre on the Ramsetu issue, BJP national vice-president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh said the issue could not be disposed off by the suspension of some subordinate employees.

''Challenging the existense of Lord Ram in the affidavit filed by the Central government in the Supreme Court is no less than a crime,'' the former CM claimed.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should apologise for hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community,'' Mr Singh noted. He claimed that the mere suspension of two ASI officials would not serve the purpose. ''It was not a mistake, but a crime against the belief of crores of Hindus,'' he added.

He also demanded that Union culture minister Ambika Soni, Law Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj and Shipping minister T R Baalu should be removed from the cabinet immediately.

UNI