Now to come to Chakrabarti’s point on the need for scientific proof and a rational, unemotional approach to religion and religious symbols (like Adam’s bridge). On the face of it, I couldn’t agree more. Even for the religious, the thing of importance is that a man as perfect as Ram existed. Of what use is his bridge today? Even Ram, the man who inspired the myth, would appreciate the practical benefits of his bridge’s destruction. But then the matter gets tricky. When a man-made object was destroyed — like the Bamiyan Buddhas — the world opposed the destruction of heritage monuments. But what about monuments that are not man-made but inspire people of faith?

I have sympathy for the project, but it did seem stupid that the government had pushed itself into a corner, where it could have ended up hurting some and providing ammunition to those who like to stoke national hysteria.