Former Rajya Sabha Member Dr. Subramanian Swamy has approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Union government to decide on his request to declare Ram Setu as a National Monument. He has also asked for a survey of Ram Setu by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to recognize it as an Ancient Monument of National Importance.
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Dr. Swamy filed this petition in public interest, emphasizing that Ram Setu holds deep cultural and religious significance. According to the petition, "this archaeological site is a matter of faith and shradha of people treating Ram Setu as a pilgrimage". He stated that the government must protect Ram Setu from misuse, pollution, and desecration.
A previous petition by Dr. Swamy seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the government to find an alternative route for the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project remains pending before the Court. The project involves creating an 83 km long channel linking Mannar and Palk Strait through extensive dredging, which is feared to damage the historic Ram Setu.
In January 2023, the Court heard a related application requesting national heritage status for Ram Setu. During the hearing, the Centre informed the Court that the process to consider Ram Setu’s national heritage status was already underway in the Ministry of Culture. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that Dr. Swamy submit a representation before the Ministry. The Court disposed of the application but gave Dr. Swamy the liberty to pursue legal remedies if he was not satisfied with the outcome.
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Following this, Dr. Swamy submitted representations on January 27, 2023, and May 13, 2025, but claims that no decision has been communicated to him or the Court by the Ministry. He also pointed out that in the earlier case, the Union government did not file a counter-affidavit, and when one was submitted, it was later withdrawn.
Background
The call to recognize Ram Setu as a National Heritage site was first raised by Dr. Swamy in his 2007 petition against the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project. The project aimed to construct an 83 km long channel connecting Mannar and Palk Strait through dredging, which reportedly threatened Ram Setu.
Ram Setu is a natural bridge made of limestone shoals off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. It stretches from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island, off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The Ramayana mentions that the bridge was built by Lord Rama to reach Lanka to rescue Sita.
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Dr. Swamy's petition is drawn by Advocates Satya Sabharwal and Palak Bishnoi.
"this archaeological site is a matter of faith and shradha of people treating Ram Setu as a pilgrimage" – Dr. Swamy's petition.
Case Title: DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY VERSUS UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS.
