As if to show that pointless and hurtful religious traditions are not solely the domain of Christians and Muslims, Hindu hardliners blocked roads in Delhi and elsewhere to protest a proposed canal project that would reduce travel time for ships and boost local economies by providing a navigable sea route between India and Sri Lanka. The object of dispute is Adam's Bridge, a 48-km long geological formation which Hindus believe was built by god Ram and an army of monkeys to enable him to cross into Sri Lanka.

I would understand a protest based on environmental grounds; a unique landmark like this may warrant preservation. But to block roads because the bridge was built by Lord Ram and his army of monkeys - that's another issue altogether.