SC to hear Jayalalithaa's plea on Ram Setu tomorrow

New Delhi, Jan 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court will tomorrow hear a petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa seeking directions to the authorities to take an alternative, route to complete Sethusamudram project so that Ram Setu is not damaged.

The AIADMK supremo in her petition has sought from the apex court that Ram Setu, known as Adam's Bridge, should be declared a monument of national heritage.

Ms Jayalalithaa has contended that the expert committee had suggested six alternative routes for completing the bridge linking coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka for saving navigation time of ships.

She alleged that the Karunanidhi government has been adamant on demolishing Ram Setu without caring for the sentiments of crores of Hindus across the world who believe that it was constructed by Lord Rama to reach Sri Lanka.

The Supreme Court has indicated to the Tamil Nadu government that the stand taken by it during the hearing of petitions, seeking ban on bull fights on the eve of Pongal festival, that Jallikattu was concerned with religious sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, may go against it in Ram Setu case.

Former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy has already made a statement that he will file an application in the Supreme Court for protecting Ram Setu on the ground that its demolition will hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

UNI AKS/SC AM RN1636