2 days ago
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.
