Denying Keeladi findings way to keep Tamils as second-class citizens: DMK Minister
Tamil Nadu Minister for Finance and Environment & Climate Change Thangam Thennarasu strongly criticised the Union Government over its stance on the Keeladi (also known as Keezhadi) archaeological findings. The DMK minister asked whether the Centre's reluctance to recognise the archaeological findings stemmed from a desire to treat Tamils as 'second-class citizens.'Thennarasu's remarks came in response to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's comments at a press conference, where the latter said the Union Government would wait for more data before taking a decision on the findings.advertisement'The reports that you are talking about ... I am aware of them, but they are not technically well supported yet. Lots of things are to be done before recognising or giving credit to the findings which are being produced by the archeologists. Let them come with more results, more data, more proofs as only one finding can't change the discourse,' Shekhawat said.
In a sharp rebuttal, Thennarasu accused the Centre of repeatedly finding excuses to avoid acknowledging the Keezhadi excavations, which he said have been internationally recognised for their historical significance. 'First they said there was nothing in Keezhadi. Next they transferred the research officer. Then they said they would not allocate any funds henceforth. Finally, they put the submitted report on hold for two years. Now they come and say that the evidence is not enough. It is common for them to reject the history of the Tamils every time. The reasons they find are only different,' he said.advertisementUnion minister Shekhawat also said it wasn't fair that 'People were trying to use that to grow regional sentiments.''That is not fair and we can't do that as we have to be very cautious about such things. Let the research be completed on all parameters and then we will take a call,' said Shekhawat.Thennarasu, however, questioned the Union Government's motives: 'Even when the world scientific community agree that they are 5350 years old, were technologically advanced and an ancient civilisation, why is the Union Government within the same country so reluctant to admit it? Is it because of the unquenchable thirst to keep Tamils as second-class citizens forever?''Don't forget. History and the truth it tells will not wait for your cheap politics. It is for the people. It will reach the people,' said Thennarasu.The Keezhadi excavations, launched in 2015 in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and Sivaganga districts, unearthed evidence of an ancient urban civilisation on the banks of the Vaigai river. These findings significantly contribute to the understanding of Tamil history and pushes back the timeline of the Sangam Age.
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