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India Today
a day ago
- General
- India Today
The age of historical disagreements
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 9, 2025)In times when historical controversies can raise enough dust to bury entire civilisations, the ancient Tamil site of Keezhadi has re-emerged as a flashpoint. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked the site's lead archaeologist to revise his final report of January 2023—essentially, to locate the site on a much later timeline than the 6th-8th century BC originally suggested by the has sparked fresh allegations of political interference in historical research. 'Post-dating' the site would take away all the excitement from a discovery that had conferred greater civilisational depth to Tamil Nadu, pushing back its Sangam era by three K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, who led the early phases of excavation, has rejected the ASI's demand, stating that he stands by his 982-page report. His conclusions, he says, were based on unimpeachable scientific methods like stratigraphy and accelerator mass spectrometry. The state of the art in radiocarbon dating, the latter method has a precision of 40 years for recent antiquity. A MATTER OF TIMETo be sure, Keezhadi still awaits full scholarly consensus, specifically on whether the prime evidence for antiquity—potsherds with early Tamil inscriptions—are coeval with the carbon-dated charcoal layers. Also, whether its ceramic style accords with ancient Tamil Nadu's pottery chronology. But the ASI's May 2025 letter doesn't just seek corroboration. It calls for 'necessary corrections' and insists the earliest layer not be dated before 300 BC. Ramakrishna isn't the only one who spies a prejudicial edge in the ASI adopting such an approach to 'well-reasoned findings'. For many in the South, it's part of a broader pattern—one where 'science is subordinated to ideology, and archaeological evidence inconvenient to the dominant historical narrative is sidelined'.advertisement Keezhadi offers signs of a literate, urban Tamil civilisation along the Vaigai river dating back over 2,600 years. Nearby sites like Agaram and Konthagai buttress that idea, with some lines of inquiry even suggesting possible evolutionary links of early Tamil-Brahmi to the Indus script. The trouble this runs into, of course, is that it challenges the Centre's Vedic-centred view of antiquity. Hence, the ASI missive is seen by many experts less as pure academic scrutiny, more as a formal curb on the kind of story Keezhadi can tell. If fully unfurled, that narrative can subvert the privileged space conferred on the Vedic/Sanskritic lineage, suggesting a parallel civilisational track in the South—with its own language, script and cultural norms. A putative continuum with Harappa would deepen that as Keezhadi's findings were gaining national and international attention, Ramakrishna was abruptly transferred from Tamil Nadu to Assam in 2017 and ASI-led excavations slowed, later declaring no significant discoveries. In response, the state archaeology department took over Keezhadi work. Over time, that unearthed over 7,500 artefacts that buttressed Ramakrishna's hasn't been enough, it seems, to persuade New Delhi. 'The ASI has never been eager to acknowledge Keezhadi's truths,' says CPI(M) MP and writer S. Venkatesan, who has written extensively on Keezhadi. 'The BJP pushes mythology as history, but it works just as hard to erase our real past. But Tamil antiquity cannot be erased by government order.'BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan counters that the Centre had funded the initial excavation. 'The report was likely returned for administrative reasons, perhaps to avoid future questions,' she says. In response, Venkatesan asks: 'Why did you stop funding? If an excavation yields nothing, you may stop. But Keezhadi yielded everything. You stopped because what was discovered unsettled the very history you have been narrating.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Civilisation and its discontents
Civilisation and culture are deeply entwined in the identity of any society and attempts to reinterpret or regulate them often invite political consequences. Over the past fortnight, this became clear when political parties in Tamil Nadu put up a resistance on two fronts — one regarding the State's ancient civilisation and the other, its financial practices. In the first instance, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asked archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna to revise his 982-page report on the Keeladi excavations. Mr. Ramakrishna, who unearthed the ancient urban settlement near Madurai nearly a decade ago, had submitted the report in January 2023. The report pointed to a flourishing civilisation dating back to the Sangam era — suggesting a parallel, if not earlier, timeline to the Vedic civilisation. The ASI said the request for corrections was based on inputs from two independent experts and aimed to enhance the report's authenticity. However, the timing and nature of the move rekindled long-standing political suspicions in Tamil Nadu that the Centre was seeking to downplay the antiquity of Tamil civilisation. Mr. Ramakrishna declined to revise his report, asserting that his findings were backed by detailed documentation. The ruling DMK and its allies — notably, the CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi — condemned the ASI's request. They accused the Centre of attempting to suppress evidence that might challenge the primacy of Vedic civilisation in India's historical narrative. Historian and former IAS officer, R. Balakrishnan, author of Journey of a Civilisation: Indus to Vaigai, described the ASI's demand as arising from 'the pressure of history'. He cautioned against historical bias in a multicultural nation such as India, stressing the need for responsible scholarship. In response to the criticism, the Union Ministry of Culture, through the ASI, issued a clarification, calling the allegations 'misleading' and 'contrary to the truth.' It insisted that the vetting process was standard and devoid of bias. Still, given that previously, Central funding and excavations were halted midway, forcing the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology to step in, the issue remains politically charged. The second controversy involved the Reserve Bank of India's Draft (Lending against Gold Collateral) Directions, 2025. Among the proposed measures were a 75% cap on loan-to-value ratio, proof of ownership for pledged gold, and limits on the quantity of gold that can be pledged — 1kg for ornaments and 50 gm for coins per borrower. These proposed restrictions struck at the heart of Tamil Nadu's financial culture, where gold loans play a primary and critical role, especially for women, farmers, small traders, and rural communities. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, described gold as not just an ornament but a vital financial safeguard for households. He warned that the new regulations would drive vulnerable borrowers into the hands of predatory lenders and exploitative loan apps. State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu called the draft guidelines 'deeply insensitive' and accused the RBI of perpetuating 'systemic injustice' against economically weaker sections. Even allies and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including the AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Tamil Maanila Congress, and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, opposed the RBI's move. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami argued that the new rules would hurt the poor and middle class, who comprise the bulk of India's population. Recognising the political ramifications, the Union Finance Ministry intervened. It suggested exempting small-ticket borrowers — those seeking loans below ₹2 lakh — from the stringent norms to ensure their continued access to timely credit. In both the Keeladi excavation dispute and the proposed gold loan regulations, Tamil Nadu's assertive response forced the Centre to respond. These episodes underscore how deeply issues of civilisation and financial practice resonate in the State — and how political sensitivity to these dimensions can quickly escalate into broader controversies. By stepping in, the Centre may have averted a volatile flash point, at least with regard to the gold loan regulations, in the run-up to next year's Assembly elections.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CPI expresses concern over acute drinking water scarcity in Kurnool dist
Vijayawada: CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna came down heavily on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan alleging that the two leaders were neglecting the Rayalaseema region particularly the Kurnool district on drinking water scarcity problem. He said people of Adoni, Mantrayalam, Pattikonda, Aluru and Emmiganuru Assembly constituencies of Kurnool disrict were facing many hardships due to lack of drinking water. He said Aspari region of Aluru Assembly constituency is the worst-affected region. ' Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is always talking about the mega projects like Polavaram and he is not thinking about the drinking water problem being faced by the people in rural areas,' he pointed out. He said the Chief Minister was talking about the Godavari-Banakacharla project and felt it is incorrect to talk about the project without solving the drinking water problems of rural people in Rayalaseema region. Speaking to the media at the State party office on Sunday, Ramakrishna said the BBC has broadcast a documentay recently on the water scarcity problem in Rayalaseema region. He said neither CM nor Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan were bothered about the solving the drinking water problem in Rayalaseema region. He said Pawan Kalyan holds the portfolio of Panchayat Raj also. Ramakrishna criticised Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for talking about Sanatana Dharma and going to other States to participate in the programmes but not thinking about the plight of the people in Rayalaseema region.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Address water woes of Rayalaseema, CPI leader tells Chief Minister Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan
CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna criticised the government for making tall claims on the proposed Godavari-Banakacherla project, even as the people in Rayalaseema, especially those in Kurnool district, are suffering due to lack of drinking water. The government, instead of completing the pending projects, was planning to take up the Godavari-Banakacherla project, Mr. Ramakrishna said while addressing the media here on Sunday. He criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for focussing only on grand-scale projects and neglecting rural water supply. Funds had not been allocated for irrigation projects in Rayalaseema in the previous year's Budget and the 'neglect' continued this year too, he alleged. Earlier, Mr. Naidu had focussed on Amaravati and Polavaram, and now the focus shifted to the Godavari–Banakacharla project, which was estimated to cost ₹82,000 crore, he said. 'While people from Rayalaseema are migrating due to water scarcity, there is no response from Mr. Naidu,' he alleged. 'Even after 75 years of Independence, villages continue to be deprived of drinking water. Neither Mr. Naidu nor Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan are paying attention to the issue. Why has Mr. Pawan Kalyan not addressed the drinking water issue in Rayalaseema?' he asked. Constituencies such as Emmiganur, Alur, Mantralayam, Adoni, and Pattikonda were facing extremely harsh conditions, where people were forced to drink muddy water from farm puddles. Among them, Aspari mandal in Alur constituency was the worst affected, Mr. Ramakrishna said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Political motive behind asking archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna to rewrite report on Keeladi excavations, says Su. Venkatesan
Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan has criticised the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for asking archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who unearthed an ancient civilisation in Keeladi in Sivaganga district, to resubmit the report on his findings. Speaking at a press meet in Madurai on Friday, Mr. Venkatesan said that there was a political motive behind this. When the history of Tamil civilisations were being unearthed, the political motive behind seeking a revision of the findings cannot be accepted, he said. Mr. Ramakrishna who led the archaeological excavations has submitted the report based on the findings. When the ASI asked him to resubmit the report, he clarified that it was based on the conclusive findings of the excavation at the site and refused to revise it. Even after this, why was a revision to the report being sought, Mr. Venkatesan asked. They have questioned the periods that pushed back the timeline of Tamil civilization. They have sought a clarification to change it which cannot be accepted, he said, adding that Mr. Ramakrishna had already made the clarifications and accepted the changes. Mr. Venkatesan urged that the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) draft regulations on gold loans should be dropped entirely. He thanked Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the suggestions to ensure that the requirements of small gold loan borrowers are not adversely affected. The regulations would have affected the middle class and the poor people, he said. He said that the CPI (M) has planned to take out a march in June highlighting various issues concerning the Centre, the State and Madurai Corporation. He said that there were several pressing issues that needed to be addressed, including regarding Madurai's growth and the implementation of the projects that were promised. The main objective was to find solutions for the issues and address the gap between the people and the authorities, he said.
