Govt should avoid damaging Rama Setu: SC

Vaishakha Shudha Dvitiya

New Delhi: The government should avoid causing any damage to the "Rama Setu" as it might leave a permanent scar in the minds of people like the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, opponents of the controversial Sethusamudram project today contended in the Supreme Court.

"Demolition of Babri Masjid has left a deep scar. The wound has healed but the scar is there. Scar of this nature must be avoided," senior advocate K Parasaran said opposing the project contending that religious faith of Hindus are attached with Rama Setu.

"Is there any compelling need to cause a wound again in the minds of so many Hindus to leave a permanent scar? A wrong deed of authority will leave a deep wound," he said before a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishanan.

The senior advocate, appearing for the Chief of Hindu Munani, Rama Gopalan, stressed that there was a need to adopt a balanced approach between two facets of public interests — religious belief and developmental projects.

Former Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee, who started the arguments in the day, said Rama Setu has acquired special significance amongst the Hindus and any state action which results in impairment or even partial destruction of the structure would amount to the violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.

"A religious belief which is genuinely and conscientiously held over a long period of time by a substantial number of adherents or followers of a particular religion becomes an integral part of that religion and is entitled to protection under Article 25," he said.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/common/

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