SC issues notice to the Union Govt over demand to declare ‘Ram Setu’ a national monument

SC action on BJP leader Dr Subramanian Swamy’s petition

New Delhi – The Supreme Court on Friday, 29^th August 2025 issued notice to the Union Government on a petition filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy seeking directions to the Ministry of Culture for an expeditious decision on his representations for declaring the Ram Setu a monument of national importance. A Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath listed the case for hearing after four weeks. Senior advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija appeared for Mr. Swamy.

Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban (Rameswaram) Island off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and Mannar Island off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.

On the public interest litigation filed regarding the ‘Ram Setu’ issue, a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta has sent a notice to the Central Government. In his petition, Dr. Swamy has stated that the Central Government is obligated to protect Ram Setu. This matter involves the faith and devotion of people who regard Ram Setu as a pilgrimage site and an ancient heritage location.

Understand the background of the Ram Setu case:

In January 2023, the Supreme Court heard a petition by Dr. Swamy demanding that Ram Setu be given the status of a national heritage site. At that time, the Union Government informed the court that the process of granting national heritage status to Ram Setu was ongoing in the Ministry of Culture. The Government’s Attorney General, Tushar Mehta, had advised Dr. Swamy to present his case before the ministry. Subsequently, the petition was disposed of. The court granted Dr. Swamy the right to take legal action if he was dissatisfied with the decision taken by the government on his representation.

In another petition, Dr. Swamy demanded that an alternative route be found for the ‘Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project’ so that Ram Setu would not be damaged. This case is also pending in the Supreme Court. Under this project, an 83 km long shipping canal was to be constructed to link the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, which would involve extensive dredging. It is said that during the Congress regime, around 20% of Ram Setu was destroyed during the 2006-07 period due to this project.