IndiaPost.com - Court suggests Rama Setu be declared monument

NEW DELHI: The Sethusamudram project controversy took a new turn with the Supreme Court asking the Centre to consider holding archaeological survey to ascertain whether "Rama Setu" can be declared 'ancient monument' and the possibility of pushing the venture through other alignments.

"There is a specific direction of the Madras High Court that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should carry investigations whether Rama Setu is an ancient monument or not," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.

The Bench said that Janata Party President Subramanium Swamy and senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, while opposing the demolition of "Rama Setu", have put "serious" arguments for conducting ASI probe and for carrying the project through other alignments.

"You also explore the possibility of carrying out the project through any other channels (alignments)," the Bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal, said.

The Bench said in the interregnum when the matter will be taken for further hearing on July 22, the Centre can consider these two aspects as directed by the High Court on June 19 last year.

Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who is appearing for the Centre to defend the controversial project, responded positively to the court's view. Swamy, Vaidyanathan and others while putting arguments against the demolition of the "Rama Setu", have contended that there was a possibility of going ahead with the project through alternative alignments which will be economically more viable and cause no damage to environment besides protecting the religious faith of Hindus who considers the structure as sacred.