09-14-2007, 05:49 AM
<b>Jaya moves SC on 'Ramr Setu'</b> <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi, Sept 13: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has moved the Supreme Court to restrain the Centre from "destroying" the "Ram Setu" bridge, saying that it not only involved huge public sentiments, but its destruction would impinge upon the national security.
Quoting extensively various historical literature and compilations, Jayalalithaa said the "Ram Setu" bridge is symbol of might and power of human will and the construction of the bridge by the vanar sena of Lord Rama was a victory of human endeavour in the face of adversity.
Besides, affecting the massive public sentiments attached to the bridge, the AIADMK chief cautioned that any destruction to the mythical barrier would expose the country to grave security threat from the US.
She submitted that India and Sri Lanka had always treated the Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Straits as historical as its territorial rights, whereas the US has objected to such claims and considers the waters international.
The Sethusamudram project involves dredging of a sea channel cutting across the 'Ram setu' bridge across the Gulf of Mannar at an estimated cost of Rs 2,427 crore. Jayalalithaa's petition comes a day before the apex court is to take up further hearing on the batch of petitions filed by various persons urging the Court to restrain the Centre from going ahead with the "destruction" of the bridge.
The Union Government is also expected to file a supplementary affidavit on Friday seeking deletion of certain controversial remarks made by it on the existence of Lord Rama and the Ramayana.
On Wednesday, the Centre had moved an affidavit in which it questioned the opposition to the "destruction" of the "Ram setu" on the ground that there was no historical or archaeological evidence to prove the existence of Lord Rama, or the other characters and events depicted in Valmiki's Ramayana or Tulsidas' Ramcharitramanas.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Quoting extensively various historical literature and compilations, Jayalalithaa said the "Ram Setu" bridge is symbol of might and power of human will and the construction of the bridge by the vanar sena of Lord Rama was a victory of human endeavour in the face of adversity.
Besides, affecting the massive public sentiments attached to the bridge, the AIADMK chief cautioned that any destruction to the mythical barrier would expose the country to grave security threat from the US.
She submitted that India and Sri Lanka had always treated the Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Straits as historical as its territorial rights, whereas the US has objected to such claims and considers the waters international.
The Sethusamudram project involves dredging of a sea channel cutting across the 'Ram setu' bridge across the Gulf of Mannar at an estimated cost of Rs 2,427 crore. Jayalalithaa's petition comes a day before the apex court is to take up further hearing on the batch of petitions filed by various persons urging the Court to restrain the Centre from going ahead with the "destruction" of the bridge.
The Union Government is also expected to file a supplementary affidavit on Friday seeking deletion of certain controversial remarks made by it on the existence of Lord Rama and the Ramayana.
On Wednesday, the Centre had moved an affidavit in which it questioned the opposition to the "destruction" of the "Ram setu" on the ground that there was no historical or archaeological evidence to prove the existence of Lord Rama, or the other characters and events depicted in Valmiki's Ramayana or Tulsidas' Ramcharitramanas.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->