Respect people's faith in Ram Sethu: Sibal

Bangalore, Sep 18 (UNI) ''Though there is no scientific evidence to prove Ram Sethu is man-made, one should respect the faith people have in it,'' Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal said today.

Speaking to reporters here after a press conference as part of his campaign for the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, he said, ''People believe Ram Sethu is associated with Lord Rama and I respect this belief.'' ''I personally believe in Ram. But if you ask me whether there is any scientific basis to prove Sethu is man-made, then my answer is no. But people believe it and I respect it,'' he said.

Asked whether he felt Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni should resign in the wake of the controversy, the minister refused to comment.

''I have said this much because I am the Science and Technology Minister,'' Mr Sibal added.

The Minister's reaction came in the wake of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi comment earlier saying ''Ram was a myth.'' UNI