Baalu's statement on Sethusamudram contempt of SC: BJP

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) Taking exception to Shipping Minister T R Baalu's announcement that the Sethusamudram Project would be complete by November 2008, the BJP today said the Minister had not only the committed contempt of the Supreme Court order but had also insulted people of India on occasion of Vijayadashami.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the announcement was a deliberate attempt by the DMK minister to hurt the faith and sentiments of the followers of Lord Rama and the Minister had chosen the day when the whole country was busy burning Ravana's effigy.

By watching 'Ravan Dahan' at Ramlila grounds in Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi contradicted their own affidavit filed before the Supreme Court denying the existence of Lord Ram. If there was no Rama, there can no Sita or her abduction and the campaign to liberate her from the Ravana'a custody by building Rama Sethu, Mr Javadekar said.

Mr Baalu's statement is infact not just a contempt of the Court but also an effort to nullify the government panel which had no member from oceanography, architecture, finance, he said.

He reiterated his party's demand that the government should abandon the present alignment of breaching the Ram Sethu.

UNI