May 16, 2007
Parliament adjourned over Sethusamudram project
Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and United Progressive Alliance-Left members clashed in Lok Sabha on Wednesday over the Sethusamudram project forcing its adjournment for the day, as the government said there was no evidence of any historical structure in the area.
BJP leader V K Malhotra said the alignment of the project would "destroy the Ram Setu" (a mythological bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka) and such a move would hurt "religious sentiments of the Hindus."
This provoked Congress, Left and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members. Noisy protests from treasury benches prompted a similar response from the BJP forcing Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to adjourn the House.
"There is no Ram Setu and there is only the Adam's Bridge," said Shipping Minister T R Baalu, drawing strong protests from BJP members who came into the well.
UPA is indeed doing what Taliban did
In its latest issue, Panchjanya has published the Hindi version of the article "UPA is to Setu what Taliban is to Bamiyan", which can be read in Hindi here.
Respected Sri V Sundaramji has also completely seconded our assertions that indeed 'UPA is to Setu what Taliban is to Bamiyan', in his below article. Read in full using the link below.
May 14, 2007
In its latest issue, Panchjanya has published the Hindi version of the article "UPA is to Setu what Taliban is to Bamiyan", which can be read in Hindi here.
Respected Sri V Sundaramji has also completely seconded our assertions that indeed 'UPA is to Setu what Taliban is to Bamiyan', in his below article. Read in full using the link below.
Should T R Baalu out-Taliban the Afghan Talibans? - V Sundaram
On 15 May 2007, the Madras High Court two-Judge bench consisting of Justice Jayapal and Justice Sivakumar admitted one writ petition filed by Hindu Munnani leader Ram Gopalan and two writ petitions filed by former Union Law Minister and Janata Party president Dr Subramanian Swamy relating to the current controversial issue of Rama Sethu Bridge.
Dr Subramanian Swamy, relying on references in the Valmiki Ramayana and a NASA study, contended that it had been established that the bridge was not a natural formation but was a 'deliberately constructed bridge by placing shoal stones in a bridge formation.' He denied that 'Rama Sethu' was either imaginary or mythical, and said the Government of India and the Archaeological Survey of India had not undertaken any official study about the bridge and its origin.
I understand from some of my Advocate friends who were present in court that Dr Subramanian Swamy presented his arguments before the Madras High Court in a brilliant manner yesterday (15 May, 2007) through his inimitable means of producing conviction in a Court of Law, I mean through his plainness, conciseness and accuracy. He had charm. He had charisma. He was in full control.
It is understood that during the course of arguments, the Madras High Court indicated that it may be necessary to appoint an Advocate -Commission to ascertain the facts related to the existence of Ramar Palam (Rama Sethu). When Dr Swamy pointed out that there is an imminent danger to cause damage to the Rama Setu Bridge, through a lightning process of sudden rock blasting (perhaps with anti-Hindu T R Baalu even resorting to the use of RDX ?the suggestive words within brackets here mine!!!), the court observed that within two weeks, the Government is not expected to damage the Rama Sethu Bridge, and directed the issuance of notices to Government of India and posted the case for hearing on 29 May, 2007.
Government's disregard for heritage, rues Balram Misra in Pioneer
It would be a little short of a bucolic inference to say that the Government is destroying the Ram Setu because its existence is harmful for the country in terms of money and time.
The Government cannot deny the possibility of Rameshwaram, one of the holiest places for Hindus, being submerged like Dhanushkodi or Poompuhar, if the Ram Setu were to be destroyed. Dhanushkodi, the southernmost township of India, was submerged in ocean in 1964. Poompuhar, once a flourishing ancient port city (in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu) known as Kaveripattinam, which was once a capital of Chola kings, was washed away by some kind of tsunami in 500 AD.
Wonderfully written. Read in full using the above link.
May 14, 2007
UP Farmers Leader Tikait comes in support of Save Setu movement - Dainik Jagran (Hindi)
{Opposition to Setu destruction, continues to come from surprising quarters. Fire-brand farmer leader of UP, Mahendra Singh Tikait, along with ex-Prime Minister Chandrashekhar and spiritual leader Asaram Bapu comes out in support for Save Setu Movement. Tikait said that thousands of farmers would storm Delhi, if Setu destruction is not suspended.}
नई दिल्ली। रामेश्वरम में पौराणिक और पुरातात्विक महत्व के रामसेतु को बचाने के लिए शंकराचायरें और किसान नेता महेंद्र सिहं टिकैत ने आंदोलन की घोषणा करते हुए केंद्र सरकार को चेतावनी दी कि वह रामसेतु को ध्वस्त करने की कार्रवाई से बाज आए।
राजधानी के रामलीला मैदान में रविवार को आयोजित जनसभा को गोवर्धन पीठ पुरी के शंकराचार्य स्वामी निश्चलानंद, शारदा पीठ द्वारिका के शंकराचार्य स्वरुपानंद सरस्वती, किसान नेता महेंद्र सिहं टिकैत, पूर्व मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त जीवीजी कृष्णमूर्ति और दिल्ली के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री साहिब सिंह वर्मा ने संबोधित किया। टिकैत ने रामसेतु की रक्षा के आंदोलन में किसानों के शामिल होने की घोषणा करते हुए कहा कि सरकार ने यदि सेतु समुद्रम परियोजना पर काम नहीं रोका तो वह हजारों किसानों के साथ राजधानी कूच करेंगे।
जनसभा में एक प्रस्ताव पारित कर कहा गया कि रामसेतु देशवासियों की आस्था का केंद्र है तथा इसे संरक्षित स्थल घोषित किया जाए। द्वारिका के शंकराचार्य ने कहा कि एक ओर सरकार विभिन्न धमरें के धार्मिक स्थलों को संरक्षित कर रही है वहीं दूसरी ओर रामसेतु को नष्ट किया जा रहा हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि रामसेतु का टूटना देश के लिए अमंगलसूचक होगा।
दिल्ली के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री साहिब सिहं वर्मा ने कहा कि रामसेतु देशवासियों की आस्था का कें द्र है तथा इसे बचाने के लिए जनसामान्य आंदोलन में कूद पड़ेगा। कालिका मंदिर पीठ के महंत सुरेंद्र नाथ ने कहा कि सरकार के अड़ियल रवैये के कारण साधु संत सड़क पर उतरने के लिए मजबूर हो गए हैं। जनसभा का आयोजन श्री सेतुबंधु रामेश्वरम रक्षा मंच की ओर से किया गया था। आयोजकों के अनुसार पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चंद्रशेखर तथा धर्मगुरु आसाराम बापू ने भी आंदोलन का समर्थन किया है।
May 13, 2007
ताहि तोर रावन के रास्ते न जाइये ! - A Poet's heart-felt appeal to Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh
कवि : श्री डा. कैलाश नाथ प्रजापति, भिण्ड, मध्य प्रदेश
कवि : श्री डा. कैलाश नाथ प्रजापति, भिण्ड, मध्य प्रदेश
नानक के मानक स्वधर्म राष्ट्र रक्षणार्थ,
होकर स्वतंत्र राजधर्म निभाइये !
अनजान अपमान पाथर को फेंक आज,
हिन्दु सिन्धु-हिय माहि ज्वार ना उठाइये !
पौरुष जगाते गुण गौरव की गाथा गाते,
भारत की सभ्यता के चिन्ह ना मिटाइये !
हिन्दुऑ का मानबिन्दु रामसेतु,
ताहि तोर रावण के रास्ते न जाइये !
{A crude translation, with apologies to the poet Dr. Kailash Nath Prajapati:
O follower of Nanak, for the protection of nation and dharma, like Guru Govind Singh,
Freely discharge of the ruler's duties (rAja-dharma)
Ignorantly casting stones of insults
Don't raise a tide in the heart of the hindu-ocean
(Those symbols) that awaken valour and sing the stories of greatness
Don't erase those symbols of Indic civilisation
Rama-setu which is a point of honour for the Hindus
Destroying that, don't tread the way of Ravana.}
PIL on Ramar Sethu in Madras HC - IndLaw.com
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in Madras High Court on May 11, seeking to restrain the Centre from demolishing, mutilating or tampering with the existing "Ramar Sethu" (Adams Bridge) for the Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP). The PIL filed by Hindu Munnani Founder President Rama Gopalan is likely to come up for hearing on May 15.
Anti-Sethu canal meet held - Deccan Chronicle
Chennai, May 12: In an attempt to draw in more people in the protest against the Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal project, members of Rameswaram Ram Sethu Protection Movement on Saturday organised a seminar on the issue in Chennai. The seminar discussed the scientific, economic, socio-cultural and security aspects of the project.
Inaugurating the seminar, RRSPM convenor D. Kuppuramu said, “Beliefs and sentiments of the people on this issue should be respected and honoured. Members of RRSPM will highlight the necessity of protecting Ram Sethu, and persuade more organisations and the public to join hands in support of the movement.
“Currently there is a lack of awareness among the public on this issue, RRSPM will ensure that the public is educated. This campaign will help to strengthen the Ram Sethu movement,” he said. Referring to various setbacks the government faced while dredging for SSCP, Mr Kuppuramu said that no harm would fall on Ramar Sethu since lord Hanuman was protecting it.
He said that people, irrespective of caste and religion, had been demonstrating at village and district levels to protect the Rama bridge. Mr Kuppuramu released a book titled Rama Sethu and the first copy was handed over to former judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, Justice Parvatha Rao. Mr. S Badrinarayanan, retired senior superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India and former Indian naval officer Hariharan Balakrishnan were among those present at the one-day seminar.
"रामसेतुँ रक्षतु !" - Hindi booklet by Suruchi Prakashan
News Archive: Up to May 2007 Suruchi Prakashan published a booklet - 'Ramasetum Rakshatu!' The Sanskrit title means 'Save Ramasetu'. It can be downloaded from the above link.
