A plea has been filed in the Apex Court under Article 32 seeking the construction of a wall at the Ram Setu for a few metres/kilometres in order to enable the ‘Darsan’ of God by all living creatures. It further stated that such ‘Darsan’ will ultimately lead to the Moksha of the people. Also, not enabling such darshan is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25. The plea further prays that Ram Setu be declared as a national monument as defined under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Ram Setu is a bridge that is a chain of limestone shoals, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in South India to Mannar Island, off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The bridge is mentioned in the epic Ramayana as constructed by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lanka to rescue goddess, Sita. While emphasising on the government’s motive to bring Ram Rajya the pelas stated that such a vision is not possible unless the Darshan of Sri Ram Setu is managed by erecting some wall as it is very pious for the Hindus as the Ramayana, Sri Ramcharitmanas and Purans (Skanda Puran, Vishnu Puran, Agni Puran, and Bramha Puran) describe, in detail, about the importance of taking Snan( Holy bath) in Setu area. It was also stated that the construction will lead to increased tourism.
While throwing light on a plea filed by Rajya Sabha MP Dr Subramanian Swamy, seeking National Heritage Status for the ‘Ram Setu’, the current plea stated that several attempts made by previous UPA government between 2004-2014 to destroy the Ram Setu. The issue seeking the declaration of the Ram Setu as a National Heritage was raised by Swamy in his 2007 plea against the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project. Under the Sethusamudram 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.