Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a directive to the Central Government to take timely action on his representation to declare 'Ram Setu' as a national monument and of national importance.
In his plea, Swamy urged the Court to instruct the Centre to act on his earlier representation made in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order dated January 2023. He alleged that despite the direction, the government had not yet taken a decision on the matter.
Swamy's petition emphasises that 'Ram Setu' — a chain of limestone shoals connecting Pamban Island (Rameswaram) off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka — qualifies for recognition as an "Ancient Monument" under Section 3/4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. He contended that the site holds immense historical, archaeological, and artistic value and therefore meets all the statutory criteria for such a declaration.
He further submitted that the Central Government is duty-bound to protect 'Ram Setu' from any form of misuse, pollution, or desecration, and to declare all ancient monuments of national importance as national monuments. The petition also called for a detailed scientific survey of 'Ram Setu' to be conducted by the Geological Survey of India and the Archaeological Survey of India, reinforcing its status as an ancient monument of national significance.
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Highlighting the religious and cultural importance of the site, Swamy stated, “This archaeological site is a matter of faith and shradha of people treating Ram Setu as a pilgrimage.”
In a previous hearing, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that the process to designate 'Ram Setu' as a national heritage monument was underway at the Ministry of Culture. The court, in response, had asked Swamy to file a formal representation with the Ministry.
Swamy pointed out that his case had been pending for over eight years and the government had yet to take decisive action. He noted that he had already succeeded in the first stage of litigation, in which the Central Government acknowledged the existence of 'Ram Setu'. He also recalled that a meeting had been convened by the concerned Union Minister in 2017 to deliberate on his demand, but no further steps were taken thereafter.
With his fresh petition, Swamy has now urged the apex court to direct the Union of India, along with the National Monuments Authority (NMA), to officially recognise and declare 'Ram Setu' as an Ancient Monument of National Importance.
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