The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking construction of a wall in the vicinity of Ram Sethu for 'Darshan'. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia ruled that such administrative matters should be within the purview of the government, and the courts should refrain from interference. The court asked the petitioner as to how could it direct the construction of a wall, reported news agency ANI. Furthermore, the court did not instruct the government to treat the petition as a representation, advising the petitioner to present it to the government. The bench stated, “We are not inclined to exercise our jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution to issue any type of direction as requested by the petitioner.”
The apex court also declined to tag the PIL along with another petition that has sought a direction to declare the monument a national heritage.
The plea was filed by the Hindu Personal Law Board, represented by its president Ashok Pandey, reported Latestly. In the plea, the Board said that it is actively engaged in preserving the legal and religious rights of Hindus.
The plea further said that as per the religious scriptures, the Sethu holds significance because it is believed that salvation can be attained through the 'Darshan' of it.
'Ram Sethu', also known as Adam's bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
It is believed that the Ram Sethu, a bridge of floating stones, was constructed during the Ramayana period when Lord Rama had to cross the sea and get to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita.