Distinctly unfortunate, unfair and downright derogatory. That's how the latest issue of the Congress Sandesh describes the Archeological Survey of India's affidavit on the Ram Sethu issue. The journal goes on to add that the affidavit is offensive not only to Hindus but also to those who treasure the country's cultural heritage.

In an article in the Congress Sandesh, senior party leader Karan Singh said the ASI, "in its wisdom had added to the general confusion and tension that surrounds us".

The ASI shocked the nation by making certain sweeping statements that questioned the very existence of Lord Ram as a historical figure, although they have now withdrawn them, Singh states in the article.

Singh, who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Department of the All India Congress Committee, said there are numerous places in India and Sri Lanka [Images] which are closely linked with events in Lord Ram's life, including Ayodhya, Janakpuri, Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.

"It is now well accepted by historians that so called myths and legends very often have a strong basis in actual events and personalities," he said.

From the original Ramayana of Maharishi Valmiki down to Kamba's great work in Tamil and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, the story of Lord Ram has been told and retold in almost every language of the world, he added.

He also noted that the Ramayana's story was by no means confined to India and, "its fragrance has traveled across the whole of South and Southeast Asia."

Singh, a scholar in ancient scriptures, said the immensely fascinating story of Lord Ram beginning with his birth is engraved in the minds of the vast majority of Hindus across the world and he is "as real to them as any so-called historical figure".

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru on the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Discovery of India, Singh said, "I do not know of any books anywhere which have exercised such a continuous and pervasive influence on the mass mind as these two"