Centre suppressing Tamil legacy by delaying report: MDMK general secretary Vaiko
In a press statement, Vaiko questioned why the union government has not yet released the findings of the first and second phases of excavation, carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), when Tamil Nadu's Department of Archaeology had already published results from the fourth to ninth phases.
Vaiko's allegations come on the heels of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's remarks in Chennai recently that the reports (on the Keezhadi excavations) of archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna 'have not been scientific' and the findings 'are not yet technically well-supported and established'.
Criticising the union government's stance, Vaiko alleged that the centre is more interested in promoting a Sanskrit-centric narrative while attempting to suppress the Dravidian roots of Tamil culture. In another statement, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan also condemned Shekhawat's remarks, stating they undermine well-established scientific evidence supporting the antiquity of Tamil civilisation, as acknowledged by international scholars.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Vaiko suspends Mallai Sathya for 'anti-party activities'
Chennai: MDMK general secretary Vaiko relieved party deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya from all responsibilities, accusing him of indulging in "anti-party activities". In a show cause notice issued under party bylaws to Sathya on Aug 17, Vaiko directed the senior functionary not to use the party flag and name and sought a reply within a fortnight. In the notice issued under Rule 35(6) of MDMK bylaws, Vaiko said Sathya's media interviews and speeches on internal party affairs amounted to violating party rules and tarnished its reputation. "Your activities undermine the interests of the party and are contrary to its policies and objectives," Vaiko said, directing Sathya to hand over records, assets, and responsibilities to the party general secretary immediately. Sathya must submit a written explanation within a fortnight, failing which, disciplinary action would be taken without further notice. Sathya distributed sweets to his supporters upon receiving the letter on Wednesday morning. He told reporters that he was ready to meet Vaiko and reply in person. "You are my mentor. You moulded me. Fix a date and place, I will come alone and answer," he said. Sathya also invited Vaiko to attend the 117th birth anniversary event of C N Annadurai in Kancheepuram, where a 'Dravida Ratna' award was planned for him. Sathya had contested unsuccessfully in Madurantakam assembly constituency in 2021, where he lost to AIADMK's Maragatham Kumaravel by 3,570 votes. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
130th amendment bill threat to federal structure: ML
Patna: CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said here on Wednesday that the Constitution 130th Amendment Bill 2025 moved in the Lok Sabha by Union home minister Amit Shah , which was sent to the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for discussion, is a threat to the country's federal structure and its parliamentary democracy. He said the bill is a well-thought conspiracy to destabilise a non-BJP govt in the country. He also alleged that the central agencies and the office of the governor could be misused and the continuation of any non-BJP govt in a state would become "impossible." The bill warrants strong opposition by all, he said. Bhattacharya, who was talking to reporters here after three days of the "Voter Rights Yatra" from Sasaram to Barbigha in the state, also welcomed the selection of the former Supreme Court judge V Sudarshan Reddy as the opposition's candidate for the post of the country's vice-president. He claimed that the yatra has now become a "popular movement" in the state in favour of the Constitution. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Maoists kill villager in ‘jan adalat', issue fresh threats not to spy for Bastar police
RAIPUR: A 30-year-old villager was killed by Maoists after being accused of working as police informer during a 'jan adalat' in Kanker district of Bastar division. Maoists summoned villagers to 'jan adalat' on Monday night and had assaulted another villager but set him free after warning. Maoists have put up a banner on road nearby freshly threatening people not to spy for police or local political representatives. According to police, members of the CPI (Maoist) Partapur area committee held a 'people's court' on at Binagunda village in Chhotebethiya region. During the gathering, they accused 30-year-old tribal villager Manesh Nureti of passing information to security forces and killed him in front of locals. Binaginda is the same region where 29 Maoists were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in April last year. Police said that after the killing Maoists had also put up banners on the Sripur–Indrapur road warning of death penalty to villagers if they support police. The banners named several individuals, including panchayat sarpanch and locals alleging that they were working in collaboration with police. Maoists also named prominent cops and DRG personnel of recruiting villagers as covert operatives. Police have launched a combing operation in the affected area. Security officials said Maoists are attempting to regain ground by targeting villagers suspected of assisting security forces. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
