Process To Consider National Heritage Status For Ram Setu Underway, Centre Tells Supreme Court In Subramanian Swamy's Plea

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that the process to consider national heritage status for 'Ram Setu' is underway in the Ministry of Culture.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud was considering a petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP Dr.Subramanian Swamy.

Swamy, who has been appearing as a party-in-person in the matter, has on the earlier occasions expressed objections to the Centre not yet filing its affidavit in the matter. Today, SG Tushar Mehta suggested that the petitioner make a representation before the Ministry.

Swamy said that in 2019, the Minister of Culture Prahlad Patel had called a meeting of officers of all connected departments to discuss the matter.  "Why are they dragging their feet?", he asked.

The bench passed an order recording the statement of SG that the process is underway in the Ministry. The bench also allowed Swamy to submit any additional material or communication as he may wish. The bench further granted him liberty to approach the Court if he is aggrieved by the decision taken on his representation. 

"Can they designate the minister to meet me? It has happened in past. They've not responded...", Swamy requested.

"The applicant may meet them", the SG said,

"I won't meet anybody, we're in same party, they're violating the manifesto", Swamy said. Advocate Satya Sabharwal assisted Swamy.

The issue seeking declaration of the Ram Setu as National Heritage was raised by Swamy in his 2007 plea against the Sethu Samundram Ship Channel project. Under the Setu Samundram project an 83 km long channel was to be created linking Mannar and Palk Strait by extensive dredging. The project was alleged to have an impact on the Ram Setu. The matter has been earlier mentioned by Dr. Swamy on a number of occasions. 

Ram Setu is a bridge which is a chain of limestone shoals, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island, off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The bridge has found mention in the Ramayana where it is state to have been constructed by Lord Rama to reach Lanka in order to save Sita.

Case Title: Dr. Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India And Ors. TC(C) No. 27/2007

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