BJP protests government's recent deposition in court on Ram Setu

New Delhi, July 26 : Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took to streets here on Saturday against the Central government's recent deposition on Controversial Ram Setu in Tamil Nadu.

The protesters carrying placards shouted slogan's against the government which recently issued a statement that Lord Rama not only built the Ram Setu but also destroyed it himself.

The party leaders accused the government of hurting religious sentiments of millions of Hindus.

"The government has lost mental balance for votes and to save the government, it is playing with the sentiments of millions of Hindus. As they had to pay Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), ruling party of Tamil Nadu and an ally of the Central ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is why they filed an affidavit saying that the Ram Setu was destroyed by Lord Rama himself, and there is no need to think about any alternative route," said senior party leader V. K. Malhotra.

Citing scriptures the government told the apex court on Wednesday that Lord Rama himself destroyed the Setu.

Work on the project, first proposed almost a century ago, was started in 2005 but has been suspended due to the court stay.

It would reduce sailing time between India's east and west coasts and is seen as a major trigger for development of ports in the region.

Once finished, freighters sailing from one side of India to the other will no longer have to detour south around the bottom of Sri Lanka, saving up to 400 nautical miles (730 kilometres) and 36 hours.

Sethusamudram-- literally the sea with the bridge -- was first conceived by a British Naval officer in 1860, about the same time when digging started for the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Besides religious objections, conservationists say the construction and increased traffic will kill whales and other marine life in the region, and harm fishermen's livelihood.

ANI