NEW DELHI, FEB 29: In a complete shift from its earlier stand on the Sethusamudram project, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that issues of faith cannot be resolved by taking recourse to science or scientific evidence.

Accordingly, in its revised affidavit filed in the apex court on Friday, the Government submitted that “the state cannot and should not be called upon to determine issues of faith,” and sought vacation of its interim order directing not to damage the Ram Sethu.

“The state respects all religions and faiths, but cannot make them the basis and instrument of state policy. The Union of India is of the belief that it should not be called upon to respond to issues of faith, except in recognising their existence,” it said.

The Centre’s latest response is in marked contrast to the affidavit it had filed in September last, questioning the existence of Lord Ram and the characters and occurrences depicted in the Ramayana. The fresh affidavit has been filed barely a week ahead of a crucial and much-awaited hearing on March 5.

The new affidavit, that runs into 60-pages, was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Following an outcry by the Sangh Parivar over the earlier affidavit, the apex court on September 14, 2007 had allowed the Centre to re-examine the entire materials afresh and review the Rs 2,087 crore project. However, it had directed that its August 31 interim order, restraining any damage to Ram Sethu or Adams Bridge, would continue.

The court in its interim order had allowed dredging activity for the project to the extent that it did not in anyway damage the Ram Sethu. While withdrawing the affidavits, the Centre had said that it has total respect for all religions, and Hinduism in particular, in the context of the present case. “The Central Government is alive and conscious of the religious sensibilities, including the unique, ancient and holy text of Ramayana,” it had said.