SC Issues Notice to Centre on Ram Setu National Monument Status
New Delhi, [August 29, 2025] – In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India today issued a notice to the Central government on a plea filed by former Member of Parliament, Subramanian Swamy. The petition seeks a directive for the government to “expeditiously” decide on his long-pending representation to declare ‘Ram Setu’ as a National Monument. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, has given the Centre four weeks to respond.
What is the Current News?
The recent action by the Supreme Court follows a fresh plea by Subramanian Swamy, who has been pursuing this matter for several years. His petition highlights that despite a previous Supreme Court order from January 19, 2023, where the Centre had stated the matter was “underway” in the Ministry of Culture, no decision or response has been conveyed to him or the court.
Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals located between Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. It holds immense religious and cultural significance for many, who believe it to be the mythical bridge built by Lord Ram and his army to reach Lanka, as mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Background of the Case
The legal battle over Ram Setu began with the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Channel project, which aimed to create a navigable channel by dredging the area. Subramanian Swamy’s initial plea challenged this project, arguing that it would damage the ancient structure. The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim stay on the project’s work in the Ram Setu area.
Swamy’s current plea is a follow-up to the ongoing issue. He contends that under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the government is duty-bound to protect and declare sites of historical, archaeological, or artistic importance as national monuments. He argues that Ram Setu, a site of deep faith and archaeological interest, fulfills these criteria.
Key Points of the Plea
- Failure to Act: The plea alleges that the government has failed to act on the representations made by Swamy on January 27, 2023, and again on May 13, 2025.
- National Importance: It asserts that Ram Setu meets all the statutory requirements to be declared an “ancient monument of national importance.”
- Protection of Faith: The petition emphasizes that the site is a matter of “faith and shraddha” for millions of people who treat it as a pilgrimage site.
- Judicial Intervention: The plea seeks a direction from the Supreme Court to compel the Ministry of Culture to take a decision within a time-bound manner.