Latest news with #AmarnathRamakrishnan
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP, RSS trying to erase rich history of Tamil Nadu: Stalin on Keeladi
M K Stalin CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin said BJP and RSS were trying to erase the rich history of Tamil Nadu everyday despite abundant scientific evidence to back its glorious past. 'When it comes to Keeladi and the enduring truth of Tamil heritage, the BJP-RSS ecosystem recoils — not because evidence is lacking, but because the truth does not serve their script,' he said sharing on social media a story about Keeladi published by TOI on Friday. TOI reported that radiocarbon dating by US based Beta Analytics laboratory has confirmed that the articles recovered from the Keeladi site date to 6th century BCE. 'Of the 29 radiocarbon samples dated by TN state archaeology dept since 2017-18, the earliest was from 580BCE and the most recent from 200BCE,' the report said. 'Even when confronted with carbon-dated artefacts and accelerator mass spectrometry reports from international laboratories on the Keeladi excavations, they continue to demand more proof. And here is the 'proof,' he said. The Union govt has put on hold publication of the report submitted to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishnan who headed two phases of Keeladi excavations, citing the need for more scientific validation of the antiquity of Keeladi. Stalin said, on the contrary, despite strong opposition from reputed historians and archaeologists, BJP continues to promote the mythical Sarasvati civilisation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'They do so without credible evidence, while dismissing the rigorously proven antiquity of Tamil culture,' the chief minister said. 'We fought for centuries to unearth our history. They fight everyday to erase it. The world is watching. So is time,' he said. State minister for finance Thangam Thennarasu too shared the TOI story on X and said Tamil history has given a scientifically backed response to those who sought more evidence. 'The Dravidian model government, which has been showcasing the antiquity and rich history of the Tamil land through archaeological studies, has increased this year's allocation for excavation work from Rs5 crore to Rs7 crore, in yet another example of the CM's commitment,' Thennarasu said. Meanwhile, DMK's student wing announced a protest in Madurai on June 18 demanding that the Union govt make public the Keeladi report. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Writers demand CM's direct intervention in Keeladi row
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Association, along with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI), held a demonstration in Madurai on Wednesday evening demanding chief minister M K Stalin's direct intervention against the central govt's move to review the Keeladi excavation findings. The protest was held in response to the Union govt's recent remarks questioning the credibility of the original excavation report submitted by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishnan. Addressing the gathering, Madukkur Ramalingam, president of the association, said, "Although minister Thangam Thennarasu has responded to Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, we urge the chief minister himself to step in, lead a state-wide movement, and demand recognition for the report submitted by Amarnath Ramakrishnan." Udaya Shankar, a recipient of the 2023 Bal Sahitya Puraskar, said, "As members of the Tamil literary community, we have a responsibility to stand by archaeological findings that support the antiquity of Sangam literature. The Keeladi excavations have scientifically validated our cultural past." Echoing similar sentiments, K Arunan, chief of the Tamilaga Makkal Ottrumai Medai, criticised the Union govt for allegedly sidelining Tamil heritage. "The BJP govt is spending crores to trace the mythical Saraswati river but refuses to even acknowledge Keeladi's findings, which are backed by strong scientific evidence," he said. The demonstrators called for widespread support to safeguard Tamil heritage and resist what they termed as politically motivated attempts to rewrite history.
