In 2007, the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project stirred strong political debates and protests in Tamil Nadu and New Delhi. The project aimed to create a shipping route through the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay near Adam's Bridge or Ram Setu, a chain of shoals between India and Sri Lanka. The plan was backed by Union Shipping Minister T.R. Baalu but opposed by AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa as "economically and ecologically" unviable. The Supreme Court halted work fearing damage to Ram Setu. The political battle between DMK and BJP grew intense, with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi denying Ram Setu’s man-made origin and BJP leader L.K. Advani condemning his remarks. The controversy deepened in September 2007 when VHP leader Ram Vilas Vedanti said, "whosoever chopped off the head and tongue of the DMK president [M. Karunanidhi] would be gifted in gold." This fueled mass protests by DMK supporters across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchi. Demonstrators burned Vedanti's effigy and attacked BJP offices. On September 23, 2007, protesters led by DMK minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi pelted stones at the BJP's Tamil Nadu headquarters, damaging windows and injuring around 15 people as per BJP reports. Police detained the protesters, but BJP blamed the DMK government and police for supporting the attacks. Former Governor Tamilsai Soundararajan questioned whether the DMK wanted to silence opposition. Jayalalithaa demanded the dismissal of the DMK government, accusing it of promoting violence. Meanwhile, DMK sought protection for its members in Mumbai after an attack on its office there. BJP leaders met the Governor seeking the DMK government's removal due to "total breakdown of law and order." Ten DMK men were arrested related to attacks on BJP and Hindu Munnani offices. BJP and Hindu Munnani held protests condemning government inaction. In response to the crisis, BJP national leaders including Rajnath Singh, M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Narendra Modi visited Chennai to assess the situation and pay respects to the late BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy. The Sethusamudram Canal controversy highlighted deep political and communal fault lines in Tamil Nadu during 2007.