Saints belonging to various Ashrams and Mutts of Haridwar and Rishikesh have warned the UPA government against the move to demolish the Ram Sethu. They gathered at the Jagannath Dham in Haridwar on April 10 and warned the Government not to play with the sentiments of Hindus again and again. They unanimously appealed to the Hindus world over to come out for protection of the ancient bridge. Swami Hansdas termed the move of the UPA government as a great insult of crores of Hindus. He said the decision of the UPA government to choose the way of destroying the ancient bridge built by Lord Rama and not opting for the alternatives is a blow on the religious feeling of crores of Hindus. He further warned the government that all the saints of the country would start a nationwide agitation against the anti-Hindu policy of the UPA government in case the government does not alter its decision. The government should understand that the Hindus had been very humble, polite and extremely liberal but they will never tolerate their ancient culture to be destroyed, he added.
National president of Vishwa Sanatan Dharam Parishad and Kalika Peethadhiwar Mahant Surendra Nath Awadhut said the saints have formulated detail plan to protect the Ram Sethu and they are ready for any sacrifice in this regard. He said a delegation of saints which included Puri Peethadhishwar Swami Nish-chalanand, Swami Swaroopanand Maharaj, etc. met the President of India Dr Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Central Minister T. R. Balu and Suresh Pachauri with the hope of receiving a positive response for the protection of the Ram Sethu but now they feel that they (the Saints) have gained nothing from these leaders except false assurances. ?Now the saints are being forced to start a nationwide agitation against the UPA government, which has been working constantly for the destruction of the great Hindu culture instead of protecting it. Sethu Samudram Channel Project has shown the total disregard of the central UPA government to Hindu sensitivities but the saints along with the common Hindus will campaign for the protection of Ram Sethu, which is the most sacred bridge to the Hindus. The proposed channel alignment involving the destruction of Ram Sethu has been hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus who look upon Ram Sethu as a temple, a pilgrimage site and a sacred monument,? he said. The saints appealed to the central government to declare Ram Sethu a world heritage site. They further said the atrocities on Hindus and attacks on their ancient culture and values have been increasing by leaps and bounds during the UPA rule. Arrest of Shankaracharya, vulgar paintings and picture of Hindu gods and goddesses, and now the conspiracy to destroy the sacred bridge are the intolerable blow on Hindu culture. The saints gave the slogan that ?Ram Mandir will be built and Ram Sethu will be protected at any cost?.
The saint would meet in Patiala, Punjab on May 3 to decide the course of agitation. The prominent saints from every nook and corner of the country will attend the meeting. Pandit Nayaymitra Sharma, Mahant Mohandas, Sunderdas, Damodardas, Devanand, Pranavanand, Swadharmanand, Anantanand, Raghunath Swarup, Jagdishnand, Kamaldas, Sureshanand and many other saints also addressed the meeting.
