Last week, a fascinating article in the Washington Post caught my eye. The story involves a plan by the Indian government, called the Sethu Samudram project, to construct a sea channel through the Palk straight, located between India and Sri Lanka. The channel, which the government claims would provide a much needed boost to the national economy, would open a direct route for commercial and naval ships between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

An enormous controversy surrounds the project. The reason? Opening the channel involves demolishing a shoal formation known by Hindus as Ram Sethu (Rama’s Bridge), or Adam’s Bridge. But these aren’t just any ol’ shoals. For Hindus, the shoals are sacred, the ancient remains of a bridge built for Lord Rama.

The debate over destruction of Ram Sethu involves a nexus of scientific, religious, political, economic, ecological, and ethical issues. Take a peek at the Save Ram Sethu Campaign. Their website provides some useful background information about the debate, particularly from a religious perspective.