Friends I have come to Rameshwaram to flag off the Dhanushkodi Yatra and visit the Ram Sethu.

From the time immemorial the geographical boundaries of this country has been defined in all ancient scriptures as "Aasethu Himachal” which means a country which extends from Sethu to Himalayas. In other words I have no hesitation in saying that Ram Sethu is synonymous with the eternal identity of India.

The BJP would not allow any attempt to distort India’s eternal cultural and geographical identity.

It is shocking to see the Government telling the Supreme Court that Ram Sethu is nothing but a figment of imagination. It also grossly misinterpreted the Kamban Ramayan and told the Court that Lord Rama himself had destroyed the Ram Sethu hence it could not be worshipped. It triggered a fresh wave of resentment among crores of Indians and the Government was once again forced to withdraw its observations.

The UPA Government had on the earlier occasion went to the extent of calling Lord Rama a fictitious character. It had generated outrage and anger among the Hindus as it not only challenged their belief but by denying the existence of Lord Rama it did something which even the Mughal emperors like Aurngzeb and the British could not dare It is an irony that Srilankan Government is accepting Ram as a historical figure but the Indian Government is denying the very existence of Lord Ram.

I would like to ask the DMK Chief Karunanidhi a question that when the meaning of his name is synonymous to Lord Rama then Is he doubtful about the realty of his own name?

Now the UPA Government has again stated that the Ram Sethu could not declared a national monument and surprisingly it is relying on its withdrawn affidavits to substantiate its stand.

The Supreme Court has directed the Government to constitute a committee to find alternative route for SSCP without damaging the Ram Sethu. The SC has also suggested that the Government should explore the possibility to declare Ram Sethu as national monument.

BJP demands that the Committee constituted as directed by the Sc should give its recommendations considering all the aspects which includes the economic viability, environmental threats, national security, and the threat of a natural calamity like Tsunami and also the issues of culture faith, religion and social harmony in the country.

All the ecological and oceanic survey reports are pre Tsunami reports. After the Tsunami of 2006 the distribution of various bio-ecological objects in oceanic water have changed. The BJP demands that a detailed post- Tsunami survey should be conducted to determine its effects on local fisherman.

The BJP also demands the Centre that historical maritime treaty of 1970 between India and Sri Lanka should be upheld in true letter and spirit. We also demand that the sea Kaniyakumari to Nagapatinam should be declared a marine economic zone as it will benefit the local fisherman.

The Centre should declare Ram Sethu a national monument and if the existing parameters do not permit it they should be amended.
BJP assures the country that it will review the SSCP project and declare Ram Sethu a national monument when it comes to power. And we will also rebuild the railway track to Dhanushkoti which was destroyed in the super cyclone of 1964.