SC commences final hearing on Sethusamudram project

The final hearing on Sethusamudram project today commenced in the Supreme Court with opponents of the project contending that the venture was cleared without a comprehensive assessment which involved demolition of "Ram Setu" having potential of being declared as ancient monument. The first project of its kind in the world requiring cutting across of the seabed was granted green signal without comprehensive environmental impact assessment, risk evaluation and investigation to find out if that Rama Setu or Adams bridge was a man-made structure with religious faith attached to it, those opposing the scheme contended. "The ASI should conduct intensive investigation to find out whether Rama Setu is a man-made structure or not," senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Dandi Swami Sri Vidyananda Bhartiji, a monk of Sankaracharya order, said opposing the Centre's plea seeking vacation of the interim order directing it not to damage the Ram Setu. "In the event of Rama Setu coming within the definition of monument after investigation, the Centre has a duty to declare it as a monument of national importance and the place as an archaeological site with the state government having responsibility to protect it," he submitted before a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan. However, the Bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal, wanted to know from those opposing the project whether any application was filed before Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for declaring Ram Setu as an ancient monument. Janata Party President Subramanium Swamy and others, who have also challenged the project, replied in affirmative and said no decision has been taken yet by ASI on the applications". A petition signed by 35 lakh people was also submitted to the President, they said. Swamy said he had written a letter to the concerned minister for declaring "Rama Setu" as ancient monument. Before the question was put up by the Bench, Venugopal had said the question of religious faith and sanctity attached with "Rama Setu" will not arise once the investigation by the ASI will prove that it was a man-made structure. Further, for declaring the place as religious site it has to be established that people have religious faith which only exists in an individual's mind, he said. The senior advocate said just like it is a matter of faith that Christ was crucified in Golgotha Hills in Jerusalem and needs no verification, the belief and religious faith of 800 million Hindus are attached to "Rama Setu." Venugopal said the report of the Committee appointed by the Centre to review the project was inconsistent and clearly exposed a typical mindset. "What is stopping them from conducting an investigation through the ASI," he said, contending that "there is a strong possibility that the structure was man made". "Development projects are necessary for the progress of the country but not at the cost of ancient culture and civilisation," he said, opposing the report of the Committee and government's stand for seeking clearance for going ahead with the Rs 2,087 crore project. Earlier, senior advocate Sriram Panchu, appearing for another petitioner O Fernandes, opposed to the project, also questioned the working of the expert committee. He said that instead of conducting the ground work on the feasibility of the venture, it was only advising how the project could go on in the present form.

"Loved reading this piece by Prakash Yedhula?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group