For Rama! For "Ramaya"!

In the Indian state of Madhya-Pradesh, there was a thousands of protest. Residents took to the streets after the country's government called the fiction of epic works that form the basis of the religious beliefs of the Hindus, the British Times writes on Friday.

People took to the streets, accusing the government of blasphemy. The police had to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

The unrest arose after the statement of the Ministry of Culture that there is no evidence of the existence of the heroes of the "Ramayana" - one of the oldest epics of India. In particular, the Ministry of Culture said that there was no confirmation that Rama is one of the main characters of Hinduism, the incarnation of the god Vishnu was a real person.

The investigation of the authenticity of the monument was caused by a plan for the deepening of the channel between India and Sri Lanka to improve the passage of cargo ships. Believers believe that any work in this place can damage the mythological monument - a lime shallow that Rama allegedly created to save his stolen wife.

The Supreme Court, having received the statement of the Ministry of Culture, decided to continue to work on the project of the deepening of the channel, but promised to consider the comments of the believers.