The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday accused the United Progressive Alliance government of attempting to abuse and hurt Hindu sentiments by stating in the Supreme Court that there was no proof of Ram Sethu [Images] being a place of worship.

"By stating before the Supreme Court that there is no proof that Ram Sethu is a place of worship or that it is an integral part of Hindu religion, the UPA has once again tried to abuse and hurt Hindu sentiments," party spokesperson Ravi Shanker Prasad told reporters in Delhi [Images].

Prasad said the government had no right to define what forms an integral part of Hindu religion. "The government has taken upon itself the role to decide as to what is and what is not an integral part of Hindu religion. Who has given this authority to the UPA government?" Prasad asked.

Terming the language used in the affidavit "derogatory and designed to hurt Hindu sentiments", Prasad said the government would never use such language against a symbol of reverence of any other religion.

He demanded that the UPA should explain the basis of its contention made in the affidavit on Ram Sethu.

"The UPA's stand on the issue is highly condemnable. What is the historical, philosophical, cultural and spiritual basis for this stand?" Prasad asked.

"The saga of Lord Ram has been a part of Hindu psyche for thousands of years and Ram Sethu is a part of that," he added.

Accusing the UPA government of doublespeak on the issue, Prasad said that earlier the government had questioned the existence of Lord Ram, then contended that Lord Ram himself had destroyed the Ram Sethu while returning from Sri Lanka [Images].

"There is a concerted, consistent and deliberate attempt to hurt Hindu sentiments on this issue," the saffron party spokesperson alleged.