Supreme Court Seeks Government Response on Ram Setu National Monument Status

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Union Government, seeking a timely response on a petition that requests the Ram Setu be declared a national monument. This bridge, steeped in Hindu mythology, has been a subject of controversy since the proposal of the Sethusamudram shipping canal project in 2005. The plea, filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, emphasizes the site's religious significance. The court has granted the government four weeks to respond, as the debate over the bridge's preservation continues amidst ongoing legal and political discussions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 29, 2025, 15:52 IST

Supreme Court's Notice to Union Government

On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union Government regarding a new petition that requests a swift decision on whether the Ram Setu can be recognized as a national monument.

The court has allowed the government four weeks to provide its response.

The Ram Setu, also referred to as Adam's Bridge, consists of a series of limestone shoals that connect Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu to Mannar island in Sri Lanka. According to Hindu legends, this bridge was constructed by an army of monkeys to assist Lord Ram and his warriors in rescuing Sita from Lanka.

The plea for the Ram Setu's national monument status was submitted by Subramanian Swamy, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former Union minister. He emphasized in court that the site holds significant religious importance for many, who regard it as a pilgrimage destination.

Since 2005, the bridge has been at the center of controversy following the proposal of the Sethusamudram shipping canal project by the then Congress-led government, which necessitated dredging in the area.

Opposition to the Sethusamudram project has come from various groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, due to concerns that the canal's route would cut through the Ram Setu.

The project faced legal challenges in the Supreme Court in 2005, with some arguing that the bridge should remain untouched due to its mythological significance.

In 2007, the Supreme Court halted the project, and the Archaeological Survey of India later stated that Ram was a mythical figure and that the Ramayana lacked historical evidence.

This affidavit was used by the BJP to criticize the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, but it was subsequently withdrawn.

In 2018, the BJP-led Union government assured the Supreme Court that it would not disturb the Ram Setu and would seek an alternative route for the canal.