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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

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(ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION)
.ifI '

tN&ERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. _ _ _ OF 2019

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>:::/( r
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IN

TRANSFERRED CASE NO. 27 OF 2007

IN THE MATTER OF:

•
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY ..... PETITIONER

vs·

• UNION OF INDIA AND. OTHERS ' ;

.... RESPONDENTS

APPLICATION FOR DIRECTION BY THE PETITIONER

'

·. (FOR I~DEX SEE INSIDE)

(PAPER-BOOK)

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY

PETITIONER-IN-PERSON
 \ ' ., .

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Sr.No. Particulars Page No.s

1. '

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.
.
12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.
 INDEX

SR.NO. PARTICULARS PAGE

NO.

1. Application for Directions by the Petitioner i _ .11-

with Affidavit of the Petitioner in support
thereof.
2. Annexure A-1: Copy of the Order dated 18 - 2..1
17.07 .2007in Transfer Petition (c) 430-432 of
2007.
3. Annexure A-2: Copy of the order in LA. No.1 l z. _ 'L 5
in T.C. (C) 26 of 2007 dated 31.08.2007 and
dated 14.0C'(.2007
4. Annexure A-3: Copy of the News Article dated 2. _ Z
15.12.2017. 6 8
5. Annexure A-4: Copy of the News article dated
13.12.2017. 2. q - 30

Filed by:

~
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY
PETITIONER-IN-PERSON
AB-14, PANDARA ROAD,
NEW DELHI

DATED: lO /06 I ZOI't

NEW DELHI:
 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

(ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION)

INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. _ _ _ OF 2019

IN

TRANSFERRED CASE NO. 27 OF 2007

IN THE MATTER OF:

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY ..... PETITIONER

vs
UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS .... RESPONDENTS

APPLICATION FOR DIRECTIONBY THE PETITIONER

TO,

HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA AND HIS

COMPANION JUSTICES OF THE HON'BLE SUPREME

COURT OF INDIA

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

A. This an Application praying for directions from this

Hon ble Court that in view of the facts and circumstances

set out herein below the decision to direct the Union of

India along with National Monuments Authority (NMA)

within the meaning of Sections 2(a) & (b) (ivJ, 4 & 16 of

the AnCient Monuments and Archeological Sites and

Remains Act, 1958 to declare Ram-Setu as a National

Monument and of National Importance and conduct a

detailed-survey by engaging Geological Survey of India&

Archeological Survey of India.

B. That the Petitioner had originally filed a Writ

Petition (c) No. 18223 of 2007, (originally filed in the

Madras High Court, and thereafter by order of this Hon'ble

Court dated 17.07.2007 transferred to this Hon'ble Court,

and numbered as T. C. (C) 27 OF 2007), Petitioner had

prayed for Mandamus directing the Respondents to follow

any other alternative route or alignment without effecting

or destroying or demolishing the historic and sacred

place Ram- Setu.

C. That it is respectfully submitted that the Adams

Bridge called as Rama Setu is situated between the

Islands of Talaimannar inSrilanka and Dhanushkodi of

India. The said Bridge is 48 Kms long and separates the

gulf of Mannar from Palk strait. According to ancient

history of India and evidenced by the epic Ramayana the

Bridge was constructed by Rama with the help of his

local allies with a view to go to Srilanka to rescue his wife

from Lanka King, Ravana. According to the Indian

ancient history and as per the calculations based on

Indian Uga system the bridge was constructed several

centuri~s ago. It is learnt that till 15th century the above

 '-;' ·.

bridge was used for traversing on foot and thereafter due

to storms the bridge became unusable (circa 1480 AD).

D. That the experts of the Indian Government have

also concluded that the bridge like formation whose

existence has been established by the NASA of USA is not

a natural formation thus, they have concluded that this

is a deliberately constructed bridge by placing shoal

stones in a bridge formation. According to various

archaeological studies that the unique curvature and

composition by age reveals that it is man-made. The

legends as well as the archaeological study reveal that

the first signs of human inhabitance in Srilankadates

back to the primitive age about 1750000 years ago. The

existence of the bridge in the area is unquestionable and

there is no evidence or other material to show that the

said bridge was built by anybody else other than Rama

'the Prince of Ayodhya' who belonged to Surya Dynasty

was first deified and declared as avatara by the Alwar -

saints of South India. Today the whole nation regards Sri

Rama, King of Ayodhya as an incarnation of Vishnu. The

famous urdu poet Iqbal had declared Sri Rama as 'Imam-

E-Hind'; It is submitted the word Sethu in Sanskrit

means bridge.

E. That it is respectfully submitted that many the

popular temples in the State of Tamil Nadu are

associated with Ramayana and the fact that thousands of

citizens in Southern India usethe name Sethuraman

itself suggests at the existence of Sethu and its origin.

F. The bridge is 50 km (30 mi) long and separates

the Gulf of Mannar (south-west) from the Palk

Strait (northeast).Some of the sandbanks are dry and the

sea in the area is very shallow, being only 1 to 10 meters

(3 to 30 ft) deep in places, which hinders navigation. It

was reportedly passable on foot upto15th century until

storms deepened the channel. Temple records seem to

say that Adam's Bridge was completely above sea level

until it broke in a cyclone in 1480.

G. That the history of Rama was first written by the

Rishi Valmiki as Ramayana who lived in the Ramayana

period itself in the region now known as TamilNadu and

he was named after Valmikinathan, the presiding deity of

Siva Temple, at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-41. The history

of Rama in the form of epic Ramayana was first

introduced to the public in a temple at Tirupattur near

Madurai. In Chapter 26, titled The Great Causeway in

the epic, vivid description of the construction of the said

Rama Setu by placing shoal stones that could float in

water is given.
 5
H. The bridge was first mentioned 1n the

ancient.Indian Sanskrit ep1c Ramayana The

name Rama 's Bridge or Rama Setu to the bridge built by

the Vanara(ape men) army of Rama in Hindu theology

with instructions from Nala, which he used to

reach Lanka and rescue his wife Sita from

the Rakshasa king, Ravana.

I. The Ramayana attributes the building of this bridge

to Rama in verse 2-22-76, naming it as Setubandhanam.

J. The bridge starts as a chain of shoals from

the Dhanushkodi tip of India's Pamban Island and ends

at Sri Lanka's Mannar Island. Pamban Island is semi-

connected to the Indian mainland by 2 km long Pamban

Bridge. Mannar Island is connected to mainland Sri

Lanka by a causeway. The border between India and Sri

Lanka is said to pass across one of the shoals

constituting one of the shortest land borders in the

world. Ram Setu and neighboring areas

like Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Devipattinam and

Thirupullani are mentioned in the context of various

legends in Ramayana.

K. That it is interesting to note that the Cholas who

ruled Thanjavur also belonged to the Sun Dynasty and

the Pandiyan Kings who ruled Madurai belonged to the

 6
Moon Dynasty as that of Pandavas, had built Rama

temples in many places. That though India was divided

in the several regions and ruled by different kings during

and prior to the British period itis the holy places at

various 'destinations of India that made India one country

vizBharatha Desha. The concept of 'Chakravartin'

propounded by Chanakya had established the essential

unity of India. The various religious places in India and

their historicity therefore are the source of emotional,

social and cultural integration of the country and their

importance cannot be lightly viewed.

L. That on 17.07.2007 in Transfer Petition (c) 430-432

of 2007; Han 'ble Court had also ordered a detailed

affidavit with respect to the question of the Petitioner

raised pertaining to that Han 'ble High Court's direction to

the Union of India to disclose whether any archaeological

survey was done to consider Adam's Bridge/ Ram Setu

can be regarded as National Monument under the

Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and

Remains Act 1958. That no Affidavit was filed to date in

TC No. 27 of 2007. Copy of the Order dated 17.07.2007in

Transfer Petition (c) 430-432 of 2007 is Annexed as

Annex~re A-1. [Fj No~ 1~- 2J J

M. That on 31.08.2007 this Hon'ble Court was pleased

to pass Stay Order against any plan to demolish or

damage the Ram Setu. Final orders protecting the Ram

Setu were passed after the Union of India in 2018

informer this Hon 'ble Court in reply to this Petitioner's

LA. that the "Ram Setu will not be touched". This was on

the grounds that faith is a constitutional imperative.

Copy of the orderin LA. No.1 in T.C. (C) 26 of 2007dated

31.08.2007 and dated 14.09.2007is attached as

Annexure A-2. [ fj No~ zz - 2 5 ]

N. That this Interlocutory Application is being filed by

the Petitioner to this Hon 'ble Court on the basis of the

following compelling grounds which are set out below

without prejudice to each other.

GROUNDS

1. That it is respectfully submitted that the Constitution

of India has made a specific provision in the

Constitution itself with a view to protect the

monuments. Article 49 of the Constitution of India

provides that it shall be the obligation of the State to

protect every monument or place or object of artistic

or historic interest declared by or under law made by

the 'parliament to be of national importance, from

spoilation, disfigurement, destruction, removal,

disposal or export as the case may be. Article SlA (f)

 ·. ~' : .

·8
makes it a Fundamental Duty of every citizen of India

to value and preserve the rich heritage of the Nation's

composite culture.

2. That the word "Ancient Monument" has been defined

under Section 2 (a) of the Ancient Monuments and

Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 and

Section 4 of the said Act which deals with the power

of Central Government to deClare Ancient Monuments

to be of National Importance. It is pertinent to note

that in exercise of the powers under this Act and the

Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904; several

temples and other places in India have been declared

to be a Monument of National Importance and are

being protected.

3. That millions of citizens of India are travelling every

year to Rameswaram and any pilgrimage of any Hindu

to Kashi is not complete unless he or she visits

Ram,aeswaram. The history of Rama revealed to the

world in the form of Ramayana and various historic

places are connected with Rama and they are

considered part of the Indian culture and the life line

of this country.
6. That Section 3 of Ancient Monuments and

Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 states:

"All ancient and historical monuments and all

archaeological sites and remains which have been
declared by the Ancient and Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of
National Importance) Act, 1951, or by Section 126 of
the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, to be of national
importance shall be deemed to be ancient and
historical monument or archaeological sites and
remains declared to be of national importance for the
purposes of this Act."

7. As per Section 3 of theAncient Monuments and

Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 the

Government of India is duty bound to declare Ancient

Monuments as of National Importance.

8. That Section 2 of the Ancient Monuments and

Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 states:

"Ancient Monument" means any structure, erection or

monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or
any :cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which
is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and
which has been in existence for not less than 1 00
years and includes-

(i) remains of an ancient monument,

(ii) site o[an ancient monument,

(iii)such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient

monument as may be required for fencing or covering in
or otherwise preserving such monument, and

(iv)the means of access to, and convenient inspection

of, an ancient monument;
 10

9. That as per Section 3, a monument can be an ancient

monument, if it is a monolith [ as per the well

accepted definition of monolith it is a large single

upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or

serving as a pillar or monument or a large block of

concrete sunk in water. Moreover, it is well applicable

to the present matte1Which 1s of historical,

arch~eological or artistic interest and additionally,

has been in existence for not less than 100 years.

10. Tlrat it also fulfills all the set criteria for being called

as an Ancient Monument. As it has a historical,

archaeological or artistic interest to it. Furthermore,

whiqh can be ascertained as many sculptures and

ancient drawing and sketches have been crafted and

attested through various artistic filmography. It is

hurnlbly submitted that it also testifies its historical

exis"tfing as it is more than 1500 years old through old

books and inscription in Hindu mythology.

11. That now it fulfills the criteria of an Ancient

Mon1.1ment; that under Section 3 of Ancient

Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act

1958, Government is duty bound to declare all the

Ancient Monuments as of National importance and

National Monument.
 11

12. That the Government of India was earlier directed to

notify the entire area of the Viceregal Lodge as a

protected ancient monument. Thus, the protection

and 1
preservation of viceregal Lodge and the

appurtenant land as historical heritage has become

fait accompli by the order of this Hon 'ble Court. Along

with this Hon 'ble Court had also directed the

Government of India to maintain all national

Monpments under the respective acts and to ensure

that all of them are properly maintained. The same

was enriched and held by this Hon 'ble Court in Rajeev

Mankotia Vs. Secretary to the President of India [AIR

1997 sc 276}.

13. That various Newspaper articles also testifies the

declaration of Ram-Setu as National Monument and

of National Importance and that it is man-made. A

recep.t newspaper article from Deccan chronical dated

15. 1'2.2017 states:

"The American science channel has stated what we

have been saying all these years; in fact, it has only
reiterated what our scriptures, what Ramayana, had
said! ages ago. Now that the US science channel has
reaflirmed that Ram Setu is man-made,the Centre
should brook no further delay and declare it as
National Monument".

That further more it also states

"Declaring Ram Setu as National Monument
would prevent future attempts to destroy the
 monument. This is the significance of this Discovery
Channel report now",
((Th~s reluctance is based on the opinion of one AS!
official that for declaring something as a national
monument under the Ancient Monuments and
Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1 958, it must be
humbtn intervention and it must be a built heritage.
This is not really a correct argument because we have
two natural monuments declared as national
monuments and also as world heritage sites-Brahma
Sardvar in Kurukshetra (a large lake) and Mqjuli Island
in tHe Brahmaputra River in Assam (1457 sq km river
island, one of the largest river islands in the world).
But now even assuming that it requires human
intervention as a built heritage, this Discovery Channel
report takes away that AS! excuse",

That copy of the Newspaper article dated 15.12.20 17

is attached as Annexure A-3. [ f'J No- 26-2 81

14. That Section 16 of theAncient Monuments and

Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 states:

Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or

descicration. -(1) A protected monument maintained by
the Central Government under this Act which is a place
of worship or shrine shall not be used for any purpose
inconsistent with its character.
(2) Where the Central Government has acquired a
protected monument under Section 13, or where the
Director-General has purchased, or taken a lease or
accepted a gift or bequest or assumed guardianship of,
a protected monument under Section 5, and such
mon4ment or any part thereof is used for religious
wor$hip or observances by any community, the
Collector shall make due provision for the protection of
such monument or part thereoJ, from pollution or
desecration-
(a) ,by prohibiting the entry therein, except in
accdrdance with the conditions prescribed with the
concurrence of the persons, if any, in religious charge of
the said monument or part thereoJ, of any person not
entii;led so to enter by the religious usages of the
community by which the monument or part thereof is
used, or
(b) by taking such other action as he may think
necessary in this behalf
 13

15. That the Central Government is duty bound also to

protect Ram-Setu from any form of misuse, pollution

or desecration with respect to Section 16 of the said

Act. 'It is also important to note that this archeological

site is a matter of faith and shradha of people treating

Rarn-Setu as a pilgrimage and all these archeological

studies and scientific findings are foundational

evidence supplementing the existence of the man-

made monument as a pilgrimage for worshipers.

16. That a TV show by the Science Channel owned

by Discovery Communications also claims that a

scientific investigation into the structures forming

Ram Setu, suggests that the ancient Hindu myth of

Lord Ram building exists and stated:

((The rocks on top of the sand actually predate the

sand, so there is more to this story, "

Whi~e the sandbar is only 4, 000 years old, the rocks on

top of it are 7, 000 years old, the show says.
((This isn't simple sandbar, there are objects that
haven't been eroded away," says a scientist.

"Th~re
are stone that have been brought _from _far and
set pn top of the sand bar in the island chain. How
these stones got here is a mystery. These results
suggest the structure in the satellite image is not
natural but built by humans. Some scholars believe the
anci(3nt text referred to a time 5000 years ago. At this
poi~t in history, building such a long bridge would have
been a super human achievement," the show says.

That copy of the News article dated 13.12.2017 1s

annexed as Annexure A-4. [ PJ
No. zq- 30]
17. It 1s most respectfully submitted that this

Application is made bona fide and is in the Public

interest.

18. Th~ Petitioner craves the leave of this Hon'ble

Cou]ft to add further grounds.

PRAYER

In v1ew of the above circumstances, it 1s most

respectfully prayed before this Han 'ble Court:

a) That this Han 'ble Court passes orders and

directs Union of India along with National

Monuments Authority (NMA) to declare Ram-Setu as

a National Monument and of National Importance.

b) That this Han 'ble Court passes orders and

directsUnion of India to engage Geological Survey of

India& Archeological Survey of India to conduct a

detfliled-survey in respect to Ram-Setu as an

Ancient Monument of National Importance.

c) That this Han 'ble Court passes orders and

dircyctsUnion of India with respect to Section 16 of

the, act to protect the saidAncient Monument of

National Importance as a place of worship from any

mis;use, pollution or desecration.

 l$

d) Pass such other and further orders as this

Ho:b'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the light of

the: facts and circumstances of the case.

'
FOR WHICH ACT OF KINDNESS, THE PETITIONER

SHALL, AS IN DUTY BOUND, EVER PRAY.

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY

PETITIONER-IN-PERSON

DATED: 10(06/.ZorC{

NEW DELHI:
 ·. ~ .. : .

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

(ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION)

INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. _ _ _ OF 2019

IN

TRANSFERRED CASE NO. 27 OF 2007

IN THE MATTER OF:

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY ..... PETITIONER

vs
UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS .... RESPONDENTS

AFFIDAVIT

I, SUBRA~ANIAN SWAMY, aged about 79 years, Sjo Late

Shri Sitaiama Subramanian, Resident of AB 14, Pandara

Road, New Delhi 110003, do hereby solemnly affirm and

declare asi follows:

1. I am the Petitioner in the present LA. I am conversant

with the facts and circumstances of the present case. I am

competent to swear the present Affidavit in support of the

~--......._ I"
~. .
sent Application for Directions.
-<. .
say tpat I have drafted the present Application for

The contents of all the Paragraphs and the

prayers df the Application for Directions are true and

correct. Nothing material has been concealed from this

Affidavit.
3. I say that I have no personal gam, private motive or

0 blique r,eason In filing the present Application for

Directions.

4. The Annexures are true copies of their respective

originals.

L LJ
DEPONENT

Verification:

Verified a~ New Delhi on this _l_Q__day of June 2019 that the

contents of the paragraphs hereinabove are true to my

personal knowledge information and belief, no part of this

Affidavit is false and nothing material is concealed

therefrom. L_o
DEPONENT
 1a
ANNfXVI(E-A 1

IN. 1I'HE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

c_·IVIL ORIGIN~JUR.~r.·_ &"'DIC~"ION -.Q 8~§ ~1~ }· ~z)~
. ) -CCC) :?5 -:J~ --0>--~ 2 ~Q~
TRJU~§FE~ NOS. 430-432 OF ~007:
·- •

PETITION (C.)

SE'I'JHUSA:l:VIUDMIVI CORPN. LTD.

. ... PETITIONER (S)
'ViERS US

RAlVIA GOPALAN & ORS.

. .. RESPONDENT (S)
WITH

'fl'<ANSFER
~-...... ··-· ·------ ----- .. . ;,____ PETITION lC.)-NOS.
-·--·-···-·· -----------------l----- - - - - - -448-450
- OF 2007
~-

UNION OF INDlA & ORS.

.!.PETITIONER (S)

VERSUS

RAI•lA GOPALA.N & ORS.

••• RESPONDENT {S)

0 R D E R

Issue notide.

{,earned cd1:1nsel appears and accepts notice on behalf

Heard both sides.

~. ..

~-

:-~- .
 1C\

The 'petitioners in both these petitions seek transfer of

three writ. petitions, i.e., W.P. No. 18076 of 2007 (Rama

Gopalan Vs. Union of India & Ors.), W.P. No. 18223 of 2007

(Dr. Subrarn~nian Swamy Vs. Union of India & Ors.} and

\V.P. No .. 18224 of 2007 (Dr. Subramanian Swamy Vs.

Union of !ndia & Ors.), pending before the High Court of

Judicatur<:f at 1\tladras to this Court. The matters are

concerning the Sctusamudram Project. The petitioners have

alleged thq_t earlier there was a writ petition filed by some

other petitioner alleging that the project would cause

serious enivironmental problems. That writ petition was

disrosed ol finnlly by the High Court .and the Special Leave l.

Petitions (SLP (C.) No. 19176/2005 and SLP (C.) No.

20758/2005) are now pending before this· Court. In the

batch of writ petitiuu~ pending before the High Court, the

petitioners therein have raised c~rtain other objections_ and

' -··-------- -·--•--·-•••
,..---~-#_....._.._-.--~v·•-•·~·--•~··

contended that there may be an alternative alignment of the

-----------------------······ --------. -- ---- ·--- .

project so that it may not cause any damage to theAdarn's

Bridge j Rall1a Setu which is in existence, according ~o the

petitioners :in the writ petidons. The writ petitioners have

 :tls1> ;lllq~(·d tl)at there should be a detailed archaeological
- - ·-----I - - - . -- -- ---- -

survt·y regarding the project. The Division Bench of the

----------------~- -------
High Court issued notices in the writ petitions and by its

cietailed order on 19th June, 2007, the High Court has also
-· - - ----- ----------~-- --------
given a directipn 'to the Union of India to disclose whether
------
any archaeological survey ·vvas done to consider Adam's
---··· -----------·· -------·------ ··-··· ------·--------------- ······------- --------- •..
- ····------·--·---·-···· _______ _.
Bridge/Rama Setu can be reg;rrded as a National Monument
- -·----- ·····-----
··--·--------
-~.·-···--
------------------·· -
under the Anc~ent Monumen•:s as Archaeological Sites and

Remains Act, 1958. Certain issues in the matters pending ·

before us nnd the writ petitions before the High Court are

conunon. In all these proceedings the petitioners are

opposing the project and have raised various questions.

In vtew of the pending proceedings before this Court

and in the int~rest of justice that the \vrit petitions which

are pending before the High Court of Madras are transferred

to this Court Accordingly, the transfer petitions are

allowed.
 '.

~r~
'
{

Ati the High Court has given certain directions in the

pendin~ writ pet)tions, the respondents in the writ petitions

J \l!,hO were the petitioners before this Court shall file a

detailed
. ,,,.· affidavit: in the. transferred cases, indicating their
-----------------------------c----------------

~~and, and the !steps taken by them.·

,...-------
.

· ·· The Tran~ferred Cases shall be listed with .the pending

Special Leave Petitions after four weeks. ·

•.•.••.•.•..•••••• ;•. '!:f.b .........CJl

l K.G. BALAKRlSH'N~ )

..•........•• ~ ........ ~~:(::;:...•....• ~.

( R.V. RAVEENDRAN )

~;:?-
········································~·
l DALVEER B'HANDARl )

NE\V DELHI;
17TH ~ULY~ 2007.
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 2t
ANNfXV«f·AZ.
IN COURT N0.1 SECTION XVIA
ITEM_NO.MM-10-a-b
S U P R E ME C 0 U R T 0 F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

I.A. 1 NO.l IN TRANSFERRED CASE NOS.2.6-27 OF 2007

Petitioner(s)
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY
Certified to r. Woe coPY
VERSUS .~~
A.wtaot It.:~tittrar (jndl· i Respondent(s)
UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
1 ----~t5~-----
(For stay)

Date: 31/08/2007 This Matter was mentioned today.

CORAM
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B.N. AGRAWAL
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P:P. NAOLEKAR

For Petitioner(S) Dr. Subramanian Swamy, in-person

For Respondent(~) Mr. Gopal Subramanian,ASG.

Mr. S.W.A. Qadri,Adv.
Mr. Rajshekhar Rao,Adv.
Mr. Abhishek Tewari,Adv.
Mr. D.S. Mahra,Adv.

Mr. R. Mohan,ASG.
Mr. M.A. Chinnaswamy,Adv.
Mr. B.B. Chauhan,~dv.

UPON hearing counsel the Court made the following

0 R DE R

Heard the petitioner, who is appearing in-

person, Mr. Gopal Subramanian and Mr. R. Mohan,
learned Additional Solicitor Generals.
Place the matter on 14th September, 2007, for
consideration.
lin the meantime, counter affidavit on behalf
of Union of India in the matter of grant of interim
relief be filed.
!The dredging activity may be carried out -but
till 14tn September, 2007, the alleged 'Adam's Bridge/
Rama Sethl shall not be damaged in any manner .

.-:· ... r .
~.-r~:l . . !...~ •.. i
[ Om Prakash
[ ~lka Dudeja Court Master
Court Master
 2,3

:'1'C:.:W1 NO.JO::..+J04 COURT N0.1, SEC!ION PIL

S U P H E; M S \.: 0 0 R 'f 0 f I N J... i. A -1 07201

i:\fo.:;CuR[l Of' l? ROCE£DitWS -
I.A. No. 1 in T.C •. (C) 26 or 200'1

DR. SUBRAP~NIAN SWk~~ P~tit:i.oner(s)

V~RSUS

UNION or INDIA 'iORS.

(for stay and office report )

witn
LA. 1 in T.C. (C) No. 27/2007
(for stay and o~~ic~ r~port}

W.P. (C) 413/200'1

{with appln. fori exemption. !rom filing 0. T. and ad interil:l orde:::-s ar.Jd
office r.e~o~ti ·

Dat*: 14/09/2007! 'l'h~se cases were called on for hearing today.

CORAM
HON.B.LE . THE CHIEF ·JUST.I:CE
HON'BLE MR •.n1S'I'ICE R.ll. RAVEEND'R/<.Ji

For Petitioner (s Dr. Subramania.r.. Swamy,petitioner-in-person.

~Jr. ;L K. Venu9·opa l1 Sr. Adv.

1'.-".t. Kri~hnan Venuqopal, 1\.dv ..
Ms • C·uakaha to!iishL a, A.dv.
:-1r. A...'1ku::: :ralwar, A.Dv.
M..r. Prasnant Km:~ar, 'P.o.v~
:.vt..r. A.mit Pawllr., Ad.v.

For Re.spondent(.s) t-1::. Gopal Subr<"~man:ium, ASG

!'-!':!.-. !.LW'a.sim A. Qad.ci,- .~dv.
':Z • 1 . S . M:urt1ly, Adv .
M::. abhhishE:!.k 'riwari1 Aa.v.
~r. D.S. Mahrar Acv.
~.r. R. f.\lohan, ADG
~~. M.A. Chinasamy, Acv.
!'-'.1!:'. :-<. Kx:i.sf...na Kur:1ar, Adv.
ttz • :·1. h. Cbinnas amy, Ad.v .

t'*'.x..t'i.rurJ Jaitley, Sr. Adv.

Y..::. P. V" Yoge.'3wara.-'1r Adv.

~....::. M.N. Krist.namani, Sr:. Adv.

!-~. }.!:ish ~.ur..ar Gupta, Adv.

\'v
 ,.
Ms. Deeps:1ikha Bhart,i, Adv.
Mrs. ~it~ Gupta, ~dv.

UPON hear.ir1g couruse 1 the Co'l.'\rt :~nad.e the fo~J.owing

0 RDE R

Huard petitioner in parson, learn~d Additional

Sc:licitor ~nerals and learned sen:l.or counsel for tlH~

parties.

Mr:. Gopal Subr aman iunl r learned · ASG seeks

pe=mission to withdraw 'the affidavits ·filed by tha

Ministry· o'i Culture and ArcheolC'gical Suryey of India.

Permission: gnwted. Mr:. 'R.Mohan, ).earned ASG also

seeks permission to ~ithdraw the ~ounter-affidavit

fi:.ed by Set'lmsar.mdrar.1 Shipping Channel. Permission

granted.

It ~s submitted by tvl..r. Gopal Subrama.nium, learn-ed

t'-..SG that the Uuio~1 CJf !ndia has total resp~ct for all

religions and. Hinduism in particular and the Central

Governmant is and conscious of religious (i)

sens ib:ll:\tiea including thft · unlque; ancient and holy

text of f<.amayana. He submits that fresh affidavits

will be f~led after re-scrutiny ~f al: aspects. \.t

It . is further submit.ted th.at a ~r.echanism would be

put iu p]~ace and the objections and. suqgestiona woulc.

be invited from all concerned including the writ

petl.tioners r..aving intei:est in the subject-matter and

all ~u~aantiono/propoa~la/docum9nt~ would be

cons iderect by a Committ\!e to be set-up by the Union

of !r:diai wi thir' a short period after giving them a

 ·. ;~ ...

%5
\
1'-··

;,
/-l.'
i !.
}.:,.''
parsonal 1hearing ~na · an i'ppropr:iate dt»cisit:>n will be

directin9]: that the· dredging; ~c.:tivity rlla~ b9. 'carried out

but the :1ll~ged AcUlm' s Biiage/Ra!M Sa~u shall n9t be

d..amaged ·~. any n1.annQr.· .··'Thtit said. {intul:;.IQ order shall

h

continue to OJ>4irat6. ·

Libt in the first week of January, 2008 •

.r~, . ·\
~·~;riJ> . 1 \l"~-1
(li'arae;-p !\UJ'IU' (V•u·a V~nHl)
Court: Mast:er Court:. Master

-IJV-v.-
 -· ·~

z,.
Time to declare Ram Setu as national monument: Kalyanara~NN f)( uI( f • A5

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1t {!)»Nation {!nation}» C4Jrrent Affairs (/nation/current-affairs}» 15 Dec 2017 {lnation/current-
affairs/151217) »Time to d~clare Ram ...

NATION (/NATION), CURRENTIAFFAIRS (/NATION/CURRENT-AFFAIRS)

Time to decla!re Ram Setu as national

monument: ~alyanaraman
DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Published De~ 15, 2017, 1:25am 1ST
Updated Dec 15,2017, 1:25am 1ST

US science channel has re~rmed that Ram Setu is man-made, the Centre should brook no
further delay and declare ~t as National Monument". .

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/curr~nt-affairs/151217/time-to-declare-ram-setu-as-national-monument-kalyanaraman.html 1/15
 would prevent future attempts to destroy the monument".

Chennai: "The American s~ience channel has stated what we have been saying all these
years; in fact, it has only reiterated what our scriptures, what Ramayana, had said ages ago.
Now that the US science cMannel has reaffirmed that Ram Setu is man-made, the Centre
should brook no further d~lay aJJ.d declare it as National Monument".

That was DrS. Kalyanaram~n, the president of the Rameswaram Ram Sethu Protection
Movement, one of the petiboners before the Supreme Court praying for halt of the
Sethusamudram Ship Can~l Project (SSCP). The Apex Court had on September 14 in 2007
stayed the project and the :Stay is still operational.

"Declaring Ram Setu as Naiional Monument would prevent future attempts to destroy the
monument. This is the sig~ificance of this Discovery Channel report now", said Dr
Kalyanaraman, whose mov1ement had organized one of the biggest rallies ever, at Rohini Park
in New Delhi on 31 Decem~er 2007, for a public demand for declaration of Ram Setu as a
· National Monument and heritage site.

"Over 15 lakh people from ~II over India attended it. There were three podiums of huge
height. All the Dharma Sansads were present to bless the event. There was only one call given
by that mass of humanity: protect Ram Setu", Dr Kalyanaraman said.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/curre?t-affairs/151217/time-to-declare-ram-setu-as-national-monument-kalyanaraman.html 2/15
5/27/2019 Time to declare Ram Setu as national monument: Kalyanaraman

~ said there had been re1luctance on the part of the government to declare Ram Setu as a
national monument. "Thislreluctance is based on the opinion of one AS! official that for
ecreaa~Fi~gt~d~g~ffigd~§cs~.•.'ill:ls!\i£JI''N'-.\''A'Il'clillW'IJf6'h~h'mR~¥"£R'il'"icle)
Archeological S1tes and Re.ma1ns A(l ~l1e
Dman 1ntervent1on and 1t must be a
built heritage. This is not r~ally a correct argument because "\'.fl~edlW~&tural monuments
declared as national monuments and also as world heritage sites-Brahma Sarovar in
Kurukshetra (a large lake) ~nd Majuli Island in the Brahmapu!r~ Rfi>8Jf~~ ',R.~~~~"fr457 sq km
0

river island, one ofthe largest river islands in the world). But~~Pcr~~iH~Sf<tfe­
requires human interventibn as a built heritage, this Discoveh}sokranqehm:potit>tellem:aw~y
that ASI excuse", he said.

"Eminent geologists Badri f'Jarayanan and K. Gopalakrishnan (he had made the huge minerals ~
map of India, 6ftx6ft map)lhad proved by doing bathymetric study (studying the depth of sea
" at different locations) for the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, way
back in 2007 what this Disc:overy Channel report is now saying", he said, adding that there
were also revenue record$, in south Tamil Nadu that showed villages existed on the Ram Setu
and people used it as a cal!Jseway between India and Sri Lanka.

"All these archeological stydies, geological researches and scientific findings are all secondary
to the foundational evidenFe of this being the collective memory of the people, the faith, the
1

Shraddha, of the people a~d treating a visit to Ram Sethu as pilgrimage", said Dr
Kalyanaraman.

Tags: ram setu {lcontent/tags/ram-setu)

Location: India (/location/in~ia), Tamil Nadu (/location/india/tamil-nadu), Chennai (Madras)

(llocation/india/tamil-nadu/(,hennai-madras)

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5/2~ Is Ram S~tu, The Land Bridge Connecting India And Sri Lanka, Manmade? Science Channel Says Yes

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Home » Website >> International >> Is Ram Setu, T~e Land Bridge Connecting India And Sri Lanka. Manmade? Science Channel Says Yes

Is Ram Setu, The Land Bridge Connecting India

And Sri Lanka, Manmade? Science Channel Says
Yes
·111ere are stones that have been brought from far and set on top of the sand bar in the island chain.
OUTLOOK WEB BUREAU 113 DECEMBER 2017

in Llnkedln

Video grab: Courtesy- twitter.com/Science

9 Mail® Print AAA INCREASE TEXT SIZE

If<l \]m Setu, the land bridge connecting ~~~ia and Sri Lanka, manmade or natural?

A new TV show by the Science Channel owped by Discovery Communications claims that a scientific investigation into the structures forming
Ram Setu, also called Adam's Bridge, sugg~sts
I
that the .ancient Hindu myth of Lord Ram building such a bridge could be true.

The show has used satellite images from N~SA and quotes scientists and geologists from Indiana University Northwest, University of Colorado
Boulder, and Southern Oregon University, i

. Ram Setu, between Pamban Island near RJmeshwaram in India and Mannar Island off Sri Lanka is SOkm long and has been in the centre of a
controversy since the UPA-1 government i~ 2005 proposed the Sethusamudram shipping canal project that would have required dredging the
area. The project was opposed by the BJP-l~d NDA citing the mythological importance of the bridge. It is believed that Ram Setu is the bridge
built by Lord Ram with the help of a vanan1 sen a to reach Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from the Rakshasa king, Ravana,

The UPA-I government had initially filed an affidavit in Supreme Court saying there was no evidence to prove that Ram Setu was a place of
worship. It was later withdrawn.

The TV show, aired on Wednesday morning, says that the stone in the satellite image are sitting on something the oceanographers call a shoal or
sandbar. This sand bar may be natural but ~hat is sitting on top of it is not, it says.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/is~ram-setu-the-land-bridge-connecting-india-and-sri-lanka-manmade-science-chann/305475 1/3
 I

J()
The Land Bridge Connecting India And Sri Lanka, Manmade? Science Channel Says Yes

'~ Science Channel

W @ScienceChannel

Are the ancient Hindu myths of a lang bridge connecting India

and Sri Lanka true? Scientific analys\s suggests they are.
ttWhatonEarth
29.3K 10:10 PM- Dec 11,2017

./ ~ 31< pRo pie are •,alk1ng about t11is

"The rocks on top of the sand actually pre~ ate the sand, so there is more to this story," said Chelsea Rose, historical archaeologist and adjunct
faculty member at Southern Oregon University.
l
-, .... ile the sandbar is only 4,000 years old, the rocks on top of it are 7,000 years old, the show says.
"This isn't simple sandbar, there are objec!s that haven't been eroded away," says a scientist.
"There are stone that have been brought frpm far and set on top of the sand bar in the island chain. How these stones got here is a mystery. These
results suggest the structure in the satellit~ image is not natural but built by humans. Some scholars believe the ancient text referred to a time
5000 years ago. At this point in history, bu0ding such a long bridge would have been a super human achievement," the show says.
(
(

The TV show assumes significance as the !'fDA government is expected to file an affidavit against the Sethusamudram shipping canal project in
the Supreme Court later this month. Union. minister Smriti Irani has already taken note of the show. Sharing the show's promo video on Twitter,
the minister said, "Jai Sri Ram."

A Smriti Z Irani
~~ @smritiirani

Science Channel
Are the ancient Hindu myths of a land
Lanka true? Scientific analysis suggests

5,995 11:50 PM- Dec 11, 2017

:' '.•.11 peopiR are talk1ng atJout this

READ MORE IN:

OUTLOOK WEB BUREAU SRI LANKA [NOlA SCIENCE HINDUISM INTERNATIONAL REPORTAGE

POSfACOMMENT

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story!isfram-setu-the-land-bridge-connecting-india-and-sri-lanka-manmade-science-chann/305475 2/3