Chandraswamy on 'Save Ram Setu' Mission
Patna: May 2, 2007
 Controversial 'godman' of yesteryears, Chandraswamy, during a press conference at the residence of Janata Dal (U) leader Nagmani on Wednesday in Patna, accused the central government of trying to demolish the Ram Setu, the ancient bridge between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka, to develop a shipping canal project, saying he would intensify his protest to discourage the government from doing so.
"This bridge is not only extremely historical and important to the Hindu religion, it also has immense significance for Muslims and the Buddhists. However, the Central Minister for Shipping and Road Transport T. R. Balu is ignoring the cultural and historical value of this bridge in the name of development and progress," the former spiritual advisor to the former Prime Minister of India P. V. Narsimha Rao said.
"The bridge should be declared a national heritage site and until that goal is achieved, we will continue our fight against the government's attempt to destroy it," adding he was not averse to seeking support from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and prominent Muslim and Buddhist organizations in this regard.
Chandraswamy arrived in Patna to promote his crusade after visiting Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. From Patna, he is to organize protests in Jharkhand, Nagmani said.
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