Ramsetu Affidavit was based on Govt's 'instructions'

Says ASG while withdrawing Culture Ministry’s rejoinder

New Delhi: In a bid to bury the ghost of the controversial affidavit that questioned the existence of Lord Ram, the Government on Friday withdrew it after facing spontaneous public outrage and fear of electoral setbacks in the event of mid-term polls.

The possible polarisation of Hindu votes in favour of the BJP in the forthcoming Gujarat Assembly poll was also believed to be one of the important reasons for the Government undertaking a quick damage control exercise.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Gopal Subramanium, entrusted with the task of damage control by the Centre, offered to withdraw the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Culture on September 12, maintaining at the same time that the affidavit was not a careless comment but one based on instructions received and documents made available till then. He added, "The said affidavit (by the Ministry of Culture) was based upon the instructions provided and material made available till then."

Creating an escape route, his note submitted to the court stated, "Having regard to public sentiment, and having regard to the fact that representations, including additional material, are being brought to the attention of the Government since the filing of this affidavit, the Central Government withdraws the present affidavit."

The controversial affidavit stated, "The petitioners have primarily relied upon the contents of the Valmiki Ramayan, the Ramacharitmanas by Tulsidas, and other mythological texts, which cannot be said to be historical records to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters, or the occurrence of the events, depicted therein."

This affidavit by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had followed a previous one filed by the Ministry of Road and Surface Transport on September 10 that too stood withdrawn following the submissions by the Centre.

"The Central Government without any reservation, in a spirit of inclusiveness and high democratic tradition, to consider a different point of view, withdraws the present affidavit, to re-examine the entire matter," Subramanium said.

Seeking three months’ time for preparing a fresh response, he said, "All materials will be re-scrutinised with care and circumspection, including any alterative suggestions."

The Bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice RV Raveendran accepted the ASG’s assurance and posted the matter for hearing in January.

Till such time the court continued its August 31 order restraining the Centre from carrying out any construction activity linked with the Setusamudram Ship Canal Project that may harm or destroy the Ram Setu.

The cover-up operation by the Government follows hectic political parleys on Thursday where a unanimous decision was taken to withdraw the objectionable contents in the affidavit that caused a spontaneous public outrage across the country.

Putting to rest all doubts about Lord Ram or the Ramayan conveyed in the affidavit, Subramanium said, "The Government is alive and conscious of religious sensibilities, including the unique, ancient and holy text of Ramayan." Clearing the air on the affidavit, he said, "It is clarified that the affidavit, did not, at any point of time intend to touch upon the freedom/articles of faith or belief of any section of society."

The petitioners challenging the Setusamudram project, namely Subramanium Swamy, Raja Gopalan and Dandi Swamy, have been asked to submit their representations and objections with regard to the studies on the mythical Ram Setu or Adam’s Bridge conducted so far.

The ASG said, "We will try to have a mechanism so that any individual who may have something to say does not go unheard." A provision for oral hearing is also being contemplated, he added.

Not a careless comment:

ASG says affidavit not a careless comment

Was based on material made available

Possible polarisation of Hindu votes in Gujarat poll was believed to be one of the reasons for withdrawal of affidavit

Govt seeks three months for preparing fresh response