New Delhi: September 13, 2007 -  The Centre has decided to withdraw the “offending remarks” from an affidavit  of the Archaeological Survey of India, which stated there is no scientific or historical evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram.

The ASI affidavit, which was filed to explain the Government’s position on the Sethusamudram project, had embarrassed the Government which attracted strong protest against the govt.

“Lord Ram is an integral part of Hindu faith” and his existence can never be doubted, said Union Law Minister H R Bharadwaj. He announced the Government would on Friday file a supplementary affidavit on the Sethusamudram canal project before the Supreme Court and the Archaeological Survey of India’s affidavit would be replaced which contained the offending remarks.

As per the sources from CNN-IBN, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi has sought a clarification from the Government on the affidavit and take “remedial measures”.

The controversy has given the BJP a chance to embarrass the government. Party president Rajnath Singh on Thursday rejected the Government’s explanation and demanded an “unqualified” apology.

Why is there a picture of Ram and Krishna in the Constitution if Ram or Krishna did not exist ? And why did Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation show us the dream of 'Ramrajya'? Were all these fictitious ?" Singh said in Agartala.

Such an affidavit (filed by the ASI) directly hurts the religious belief of the majority of the people of our country. The affidavit may trigger inter-religious conflict in the country," he said.

Unless the Centre apologises for the affidavit and withdraws it, BJP would support the VHP-RSS demand for scrapping of the Sethusamudram project in Rameswaram.

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