New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy, seeking directions to the union Government to grant National Monument status to the Ram Setu bridge and to conduct a survey through the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for its recognition as an Ancient Monument of National Importance.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta passed the order.
Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija appeared on behalf of Dr. Swamy, who could not attend the proceedings due to medical reasons.
The petition, filed through Advocate Satya Sabharwal, stresses that the Centre is duty-bound to protect Ram Setu from misuse, pollution, or desecration, describing it as “a matter of faith and shradha” for devotees who treat the site as a pilgrimage.
Notably, Dr. Swamy’s earlier plea seeking an alternative route for the Sethu Samudram Ship Channel project in order to prevent damage to Ram Setu from dredging remains pending before the apex court.
Under the project, an 83-km-long navigational channel linking Mannar and Palk Strait was proposed through extensive dredging, which was alleged to adversely affect the historic structure.
In January 2023, the Court dealt with an application seeking national heritage status for Ram Setu.
At that stage, the Centre informed that the Ministry of Culture was considering the matter, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had suggested that Dr. Swamy make a representation before the Ministry.
Based on this assurance, the application was disposed of with liberty to pursue remedies if aggrieved.
Dr. Swamy has now approached the Court after submitting representations on January 27, 2023, and May 13, 2025, alleging that no decision has been communicated by the Ministry to date.
The petition also points out that in the related matter, the union Government has yet to file a counter-affidavit.
Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals running from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island off the northern coast of Sri Lanka.
The bridge holds immense religious significance, with references in the Ramayana describing it as having been built by Lord Rama to cross over to Lanka for the rescue of Sita.
