The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Union government on a petition filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, seeking directions for the expeditious declaration of the ‘Ram Setu’ (Adam’s Bridge) as a national monument.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta agreed to hear the plea and called upon the Centre to file its response. The matter has been listed for further hearing after four weeks.
Swamy’s petition urged the court to direct the government to act swiftly on his representation, contending that ‘Ram Setu’ holds immense historical, cultural, and religious significance for millions of people.
‘Ram Setu’, also known as Adam’s Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals stretching between Pamban Island, off Tamil Nadu’s south-eastern coast, and Mannar Island in north-western Sri Lanka. It has been the subject of political, religious, and environmental debate for decades, particularly in relation to the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, which proposed dredging a channel through the formation.
The Supreme Court’s decision to seek the Centre’s reply now places the onus on the government to clarify its stance on whether the structure should be granted national monument status.
