Institute of Legal and Management Studies

Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Subramanian Swamy has moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Union government to timely decide his representation seeking National Monument status for Ram Setu bridge and a survey by the Geological Survey of India & the Archeological Survey of India in respect to Ram-Setu as an Ancient Monument of National Importance.

Filed in public interest, Dr Swamy's petition states that the Central Government is duty-bound to protect Ram-Setu from any form of misuse, pollution or desecration. "this archeological site is a matter of faith and shradha of people treating Ram-Setu as a pilgrimage", it says.

Notably, another petition filed by Dr Swamy, seeking a writ of mandamus to the respondents to find an alternative route for the Sethu Samundram Ship Channel project, so that the historic Ram Setu is not damaged due to dredging, etc., is pending before the Supreme Court. Under this project, an 83 km long channel was to be created linking Mannar and Palk Strait by extensive dredging. The project is alleged to have an impact on the Ram Setu.

In January 2023, the Court dealt with an application filed in the matter seeking national heritage status for Ram Setu. During the hearing, Centre told the Court that the process to consider national heritage status for 'Ram Setu' was underway in the Ministry of Culture. Further, SG Tushar Mehta suggested that Dr Swamy make a representation before the Ministry. In this backdrop, the application was disposed of, with liberty to Dr Swamy to avail his legal remedies if he was aggrieved by the decision taken on his representation.

Now, after having made representations on 27.01.2023 and 13.05.2025, the former MP has approached the Supreme Court claiming that no decision on the representation has been conveyed to him or to the Court by the Ministry till date. He further highlights that in the other matter, no counter-affidavit has been filed by the Union so far. Though one was filed, the same was withdrawn.

Background

The issue seeking declaration of the Ram Setu as National Heritage was raised by Swamy in his 2007 plea against the Sethu Samundram Ship Channel project. Under the Setu Samundram project, an 83 km long channel was to be created linking Mannar and Palk Strait by extensive dredging. The project was alleged to have an impact on the Ram Setu.

Ram Setu is a bridge which is a chain of limestone shoals, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island, off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The bridge has found mention in the Ramayana where it is stated to have been constructed by Lord Rama to reach Lanka in order to save Sita.

The petition is drawn by Advocates Satya Sabharwal and Palak Bishnoi.

Case Title: DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY VERSUS UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS.