Political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) and some Hindu organizations oppose dredging through the shoal on religious grounds — Rama's Bridge being popularly identified as the causeway described in the Ramayana — and suggest using an alternate alignment for the channel that avoids damage to Adam's Bridge.[1][2] The state and central government have opposed such changes, with Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu, who belongs to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and a strong supporter of the project, saying the current proposal was well scrutinised for economic viability and environmental sustainability and that there were no other environmentally feasible alternatives.IndianExpress.com – Sethu: DMK chief sticks to his stand</ref>[3][4]

Opposition to dredging through this causeway also stems from concerns over its impact on the area's ecology and marine wealth, potential loss of thorium deposits in the area, and increased risk of damage due to tsunamis.[5] Some organizations are completely opposing this project on economical and environmental grounds and claim proper scientific studies were not conducted before undertaking this project.[6]

Controversies edit

 
NASA satellite photo: India on top, Sri Lanka at the bottom of the photo

[7] Hindu belief is that the bridge was created Rama and Lakshman with the assistance of Hanuman and the Varan sena or the 'monkey army' to reach Lanka in order to find Rama's wife [Sita] who was kidnapped by the evil Ravana.

  1. ^ "Ram Setu a matter of faith, needs to be protected: Lalu". NewKerela.com. September 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  2. ^ "Rama is 'divine personality' says Gowda". MangaoreNews.com. September 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  3. ^ Latest India News @ NewKerala.Com, India
  4. ^ indianexpress.com
  5. ^ "Thorium reserves to be disturbed if Ramar Sethu is destroyed". The Hindu. August 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  6. ^ Karunanidhi or T R Baalu's arguments are not based on scientific studies claims coastal action network convenor
  7. ^ [1]