Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072754611400.htm

National

VHP gives ‘Chalo Rameswaram’ call

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: At the end of the two-day “Dharm Sansad” at the Ramlila Grounds here, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Thursday gave a “Chalo Rameswaram” call to its workers, saints and sympathisers to protect the “Ram Setu” or Adam’s Bridge, that is “under threat” because of the Sethusamudram project. They would assemble at Rameswaram on August 26.

VHP’s international general secretary Praveen Togadia also announced that on August 12 dharnas would be staged across the country against the project. Between September 27 and October 15, rallies would be organised at more than 10,000 places all over the country to raise awareness against the project. Beginning November 20, VHP workers and activists would visit four lakh villages and create awareness, said Mr. Togadia.

“The saints have issued a warning that if the United Progressive Alliance Government does not immediately scrap the project, the movement would become more aggressive,” said Mr. Togadia.

He reiterated that no political parties were part of the movement, though they were welcome to take the initiative on their own on the issue.

On Wednesday, saints from the various “peethas”, including two of the four Shankarcharyas, and many of their followers had come together to raise awareness about the “dangers” posed to the country by the Sethusamudram project and put pressure on the Government to scrap it.