Existence of Ram Setu denied by Union Government

New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) The Union government has submitted in the Supreme Court that the Ram Setu was destroyed by Lord Rama himself while returning from Sri Lanka.

The Government, who had filed written arguments in the apex court yesterday, has referred to Kamba Ramayana written by Tamil saint Kambar saying that Ram Setu was destroyed by the Lord himself.

A bench headed by K G Balakrishnan had earlier reserved its judgement on the petition seeking declaration from the apex court that 35 km long Ram Setu also known as Adam's bridge is a monument of national heritage and therefore, should not be demolished to complete the Setu Samudram shipping channel project.

On the suggestion of the court to explore the possibility of finding an alternative route /alignment to save Ram Setu, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had appointed a six-member committee to examine if alternative routes can be taken to save Ram Setu which is on alignment six.

According to the petitioners. who include former Union Minister and Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, Ram Setu is a place of worship and sacred to millions of Hindus across the globe as according to Hindu mythology Ram Setu was built by Lord Rama with the help of his 'Vanar sena' to reach Sri Lanka to free Sita from the captivity of demon king Ravana.

The apex court is awaiting the report of the six-member committee headed by Dr R K Pachauri.

The petitioners have also contended that as per article 25 of the Constitution, Ram Setu cannot be demolished as it is a matter of faith for 80 per cent Hindu population of the country and is therefore protected by the provision.

UNI SC SY AS1446