Latest news with #KAmarnathRamakrishna
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Committed to releasing Keezhadi findings, but ASI officer report lacks details: Union Min Shekhawat
CHENNAI: Stating that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not reject reports on excavations but incorporates views for accuracy, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Monday reiterated that the report of archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna lacked several details. Replying to questions from DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Shekhawat said there is no practice of rejecting a report and that the organisation is fully committed to releasing the findings of Keezhadi after due scientific process. To a question on the rationale behind the repeated transfer of the lead archaeologist within nine months and its impact on excavation continuity, the union minister said the allocation of works to archaeological officers is a routine administrative matter.
Deccan Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
BJP and AIADMK isolate themselves on Keeladi issue
The BJP-led Union Government's demand for 'more evidence' regarding the period assigned to Keeladi (3rd Century CE to 8th Century BCE), based on archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna's findings -- who has been transferred three times in just nine months by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-- along with the AIADMK's reluctance to take a clear stand, has drawn sharp criticism from the DMK, its allies, and other political parties.
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Evidence, not politics, must shape the story from Keezhadi
What was once a quiet village on the banks of the river Vaigai in Tamil Nadu is today emerging as one of the most significant archaeological sites in India. Excavations at Keezhadi (or Keeladi) have revealed the existence of an advanced urban settlement, possibly going back as far as the 8th to the 5th century BCE. The findings — which include evidence of trade, such as carnelian beads, and literacy, in the form of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds — paint a compelling picture of a flourishing civilisation in South India dating back much further than previously believed. The discoveries at Keezhadi are significant not only for Tamil Nadu, but for all of India, as they challenge long-standing historical narratives and offer proof that urbanisation may have developed parallelly in different regions of the Subcontinent. Yet, the thrill of the discovery has been marred by an unseemly politicking. Allegations of administrative interference and accusations of downplaying the excavation's findings threaten to undermine the credibility of the process. The DMK-led state government, which sees the Keezhadi findings as key to its 'Dravidian pride' politics, arguing for a Tamil civilisation that is as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation, has accused the Union government of attempting to 'sabotage' the excavations to suit its own ideology. The Centre, in turn, has alleged attempts to play up regional pride at the cost of scientific study; earlier this month, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised questions over the 989-page 'final' report submitted in 2023 by archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, who had led the Keezhadi dig, saying that it was not 'technically well-supported and established yet'. The latest trading of accusations comes after Ramakrishna's transfer following his refusal to revise his report when the ASI, in May this year, sought fresh justification for the dating of the findings. The Tamil Nadu government has hit out at the Centre over the transfer, with Chief Minister MK Stalin describing it as yet another 'hurdle' placed before the 'Tamil race'. Whether or not it shows evidence of a civilisation that is as old as the one unearthed at the Indus Valley sites, Keezhadi can help uncover much more about India's complex and deeply interconnected past. Politics cannot be allowed to distort what is one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries of recent times — evidence alone must shape the narrative. It is vital that the site is not reduced to an ideological battleground. Given its potential to transform the current understanding of Indian history, what Keezhadi calls for is rigorous and transparent research, free from ideological pressures.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AIADMK, DMK spar over Keeladi
Chennai: Asserting that did not spend even a paisa for Keeladi archaeological explorations, on Friday accused it of politicising the excavation report submitted by ASI official K Amarnath Ramakrishna. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The DMK rejected the charges, saying DMK govt allotted 27 crore in the last four years for archaeological explorations in 37 places, including Keeladi. Addressing reporters at AIADMK headquarters, former minister Mafoi K Pandiarajan said the previous AIADMK govt was instrumental in the ongoing archaeological explorations and excavations in eight places. The govt acquired 100 acres from farmers amidst unrest and sent artefacts to advanced laboratories in the US, Singapore, and Italy for carbon dating and material analysis. When the Centre hesitated to fund further excavations, former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami stepped in and allocated funds to continue the research by the state archaeology department, and reports were submitted to the Centre, he said. "Only the AIADMK did excavation in Keeladi, while the DMK politicised it," Pandiarajan said, adding that the EPS govt had allotted 105 crore every year. At Anna Arivalayam, DMK medical wing secretary and MLA N Ezhilan told reporters that Pandiarajan's statement that AIADMK allotted 105 crore for Keeladi excavation was a blatant lie. "The AIADMK govt allotted only 55 lakh." When Union govt halted the excavations abruptly in 2016, DMK MP Kanimozhi went to the court. Only after the court directed the resumption of the excavation did the AIADMK govt continue the exercise, he said. "TN people will never forgive EPS for betraying Tamil culture and its ancient heritage," Ezhilan added. Pandiarajan said the previous report on Keeladi findings proved Tamil was a developed writing system 2,500 years ago. The latest report from Ramakrishna outlined a different time bracket, prompting the ASI to ask for clarification. "You must respond. Instead, submitting the paper to (chief minister) Stalin and making him speak is nothing but politics," he said. Pandiarajan said the Union govt was not saying that Tamil was not ancient.
Hans India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
ASI Transfers Keeladi Excavation Chief Amid Tamil Nadu Political Row
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reassigned K Amarnath Ramakrishna, the prominent archaeologist who spearheaded the significant Keeladi excavations in Tamil Nadu. Ramakrishna has been removed from his position as ASI Director (Antiquity) and will now serve solely as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) based in Greater Noida. This administrative change represents Ramakrishna's twelfth transfer in his 21-year career and occurs during heightened political friction between the BJP-led federal government and Tamil Nadu's state administration regarding the interpretation and publication of Keeladi excavation results. Under the new arrangement, Ramakrishna will operate from NMMA's Greater Noida headquarters rather than ASI's main office in New Delhi. His previous Director (Antiquity) position encompassed extensive duties including antiquity protection, registration, and repatriation activities. ASI sources indicate the NMMA role carries more restricted responsibilities compared to his former position. HA Naik, the official who previously instructed Ramakrishna to revise his Keeladi findings with supplementary data, has assumed additional responsibilities as Director (Antiquity). Naik's directive, issued nearly two and a half years after the excavation report's initial submission, drew sharp criticism from DMK and allied political parties who accused the central government of intentionally stalling the publication process. Tamil Nadu's governing DMK party has strongly denounced the transfer, characterizing it as both "authoritarian" and "outrageous." DMK Member of Parliament and senior legal advocate P Wilson expressed criticism through social media, alleging that Ramakrishna faced central government pressure to modify his findings but refused to comply. Wilson claimed the administration seeks to install a more cooperative official who might weaken the excavation's conclusions. Chief Minister MK Stalin has previously expressed firm opposition to federal interference regarding the excavation, accusing Union ministers of showing disrespect toward Tamil Nadu's historical contributions. Stalin has also incorporated Keeladi references in recent public addresses, questioning the insufficient recognition given to what researchers believe represents the region's earliest Iron Age civilization discovery. The Keeladi archaeological site, situated in Sivaganga district near Madurai, has gained prominence among Tamil Nadu leaders for potentially extending the Sangam Age timeline to approximately 800 BCE, significantly earlier than previously established dates. However, federal authorities have requested additional data and supporting evidence before officially endorsing such historical timeline revisions. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently reaffirmed the Centre's support for scientifically validated research while accusing the DMK government of politicizing the archaeological findings and failing to provide complete cooperation with ongoing research initiatives. The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities was established in 2007 during the United Progressive Alliance government with the objective of creating a comprehensive database of India's architectural heritage and archaeological locations. The initiative, originally planned for completion within five years, has experienced substantial delays due to financial limitations and administrative challenges.
