Supreme Court Dismisses Hindu Personal Law Board's Plea To Declare 'Ram Setu' As National Monument

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 3) dismissed a plea seeking the construction of a wall at the Ram Setu site ‘in the sea’ for a few meters/kilometers so that everyone can have its its ‘Darshan’.

The plea, filed as a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India by the Hindu Personal Law Board through Lucknow-based advocate Ashok Pandey, also prayed to declare Ram Setu as a national monument as defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

The petitioner requested the bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia to tag the petition along with a pending petition filed by Dr Subramanian Swamy seeking National Heritage Status for the ‘Ram Setu’. However, the bench categorically declined to do so stating that the same is an administrative matter and the petitioner should instead approach to the government.

At the outset, Justice Kaul questioned the need for another petition if Subramanian Swamy’s plea is pending. “What do you want?" the judge asked.

When the Counsel read his aforementioned prayer, Justice Kaul asked : "How can the court direct to construct a wall? These are administrative matters"

Then the petitioner requested for tagging the petition with Dr. Swamy's petition.  

 “No, we are not connecting it….We are not inclined to interfere under article 32. Of the Constitution of India to give any directions which the petitioner seeks. Dismissed.” the bench said.

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.

Previously, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta had also informed the Supreme Court that the process to consider national heritage status for ‘Ram Setu’ is underway in the Ministry of Culture.

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: Hindu Personal Law Board Through Its President Ashok Pandey Petitioner-In-Person Versus Union Of India And Ors, Diary No. 12741-2023

Click Here To Read/Download Order