Centre not publishing Keeladi report is an onslaught on Tamil culture, says MK Stalin

Centre not publishing Keeladi report is an onslaught on Tamil culture, says MK Stalin Newspoint | 20/06/2025 05:39:14

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday said that the Union government’s decision not to publish the Keeladi excavation report was an “onslaught on Tamil culture”, reported The Hindu.

In a letter to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadre, Stalin said his party would not rest until the Centre recognised the greatness and antiquity of Tamil civilisation.

On May 23, the Archaeological Survey of India had directed archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna to resubmit his report on the Keeladi excavations after making corrections suggested by two experts.

On May 27, The Indian Express had reported that Ramakrishna had refused to revise the report, defending the findings and methodology that were used in documenting details about the archaeological site.

“The BJP government, which consistently views Tamils and the Tamil language with hostility, is trying to suppress and bury the findings from Keeladi,” Stalin told his party cadre.

He also criticised the Opposition party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, for “remaining silent” on the issue. The AIADMK is an ally of the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin said the DMK government has always worked to protect the Tamil language and culture, even building a museum for the excavation findings. On the other hand, “the state unit of the BJP has also abandoned its love for language and culture to appease the party...