Ram Setu bungle: Top ASI officials get axed

DIVINE INTERVENTION: The Govt withdrew its affidavit which said there was no scientific proof about the Ram Setu.

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New Delhi: In the wake of the controversy over the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) affidavit filed on the Sethusamudram case in the Supreme Court, two senior officials of the ASI were suspended on Friday.

According to sources, two senior ASI officials – an assistant director of the team and the other a director of the administration – were suspended after an inquiry was ordered by the Secretary of the Union Culture Ministry.

The suspension was approved by Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni. However, preliminary inquiry has shown that the said affidavit was vetted by the Ministry of Culture and Law.

The ASI affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, which said there was no historical or scientific proof about the existence of Lord Ram or Ram Setu as a man-made bridge, had set off a huge political storm with the BJP accusing the government of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus.

The Government promptly went into a damage control exercise following a directive from Congress President Sonia Gandhi and withdrew its two affidavits from the Supreme Court.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balkrishnan said that the August 31 interim order that put construction on hold in the Ram Setu area will continue. The government has sought three months time from the court and has said it will examine the issue.

But despite the Government's efforts to save face, the BJP continued their aggressive stand over the ASI affidavit.

BJP demands an apology

The Congress avoided a major political setback with the party top brass realising early that targetting Hinduism could become a poll issue.

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