SC issues notice to Centre on Swamy’s plea to declare Ram Setu a national monument

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre on a plea by BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Subramanian Swamy, seeking directions to the government to take a decision on his representation for declaring ‘Ram Setu’ an ancient monument of national importance.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta asked the Union government to file its response to Swamy’s petition, which sought both national monument status for the Ram Setu bridge and a survey by the Geological Survey of India and the Archaeological Survey of India to establish it as an ancient monument of national importance.

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Swamy submitted that, in terms of the Supreme Court’s order in January 2023, he had made representations to the Centre on January 27, 2023, and again on May 15, 2025, but no decision had been communicated.

He argued that Ram Setu fulfilled all the statutory criteria for recognition as an ancient monument, given its historical, archaeological, and artistic significance.

The petition stated that under Sections 3 and 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the government is duty-bound to declare Ram Setu an ancient monument of national importance.

Swamy contended that the Centre was obliged to protect Ram Setu from any form of misuse, pollution, or desecration. Calling it both a heritage and sacred site, the petition noted: “This archaeological site is a matter of faith and shradha for people who regard Ram Setu as a place of pilgrimage.”

The Central government had earlier informed the Court that the process of declaring Ram Setu a national heritage monument was under consideration in the Ministry of Culture.

At that stage, the apex court had asked Swamy to file a detailed representation, which he did. Swamy now argues that despite the passage of time, the government has failed to act.

He pointed out that the matter has been pending for eight years, even though the Centre had earlier accepted the existence of Ram Setu. Swamy recalled that in 2017 the Union minister concerned had convened a meeting to consider declaring Ram Setu a national heritage monument, but no further steps were taken.

In his current plea, Swamy has urged the Court to direct the Union of India and the National Monuments Authority (NMA) to declare Ram Setu an Ancient Monument of National Importance.

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