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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Keeladi excavation report of archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna: Why are Centre and T.N. government at loggerheads?
The story so far: On June 17, 2025, archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, the archaeologist whose excavation at Keeladi (also spelt Keezhadi) in Tamil Nadu drew the nation's attention, was transferred yet again, this time from New Delhi to Greater Noida. Mr. Ramakrishna, who was serving as the Director (Antiquity) and as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), will now be the director of only the NMMA. The NMMA unit set up in 2007, according to sources, almost remains defunct. This move drew criticism from political circles in the State. Over two years after Mr. Ramakrishna submitted his 982-page report on the first two phases of excavations carried out at Keeladi under his leadership between 2014 and 2016, a fresh controversy erupted last month. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) demanded him to revise his report but Mr. Ramakrishna refused to do it. This disagreement sparked a political clash between the Centre and Tamil Nadu. The State's Minister for Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu even accused the BJP-led Union government of treating Tamils as second class citizens. How did Keeladi excavation begin? Keeladi, located about 12 km southeast of Madurai in Sivaganga district has become a symbol of pride for many in Tamil Nadu. Over a decade ago, Amarnath Ramakrishna who was then the ASI's Superintending Archaeologist had initiated excavations at a site known as the Pallichanthai Tidal in Keeladi, a place that was originally a coconut grove spanning 100 acres. He had identified over 100 sites for excavation along the Vaigai River but Keeladi stood out. It was in Keeladi that they unearthed over 7,500 ancient artifacts including wall structures, drainage systems and wells - all evidence of a sophisticated urban society that thrived. What was even more compelling was the carbon dating which revealed that these elements are over 2,160 years old dating back to the 2nd century BCE which is the time of the Sangam period in Tamil history. What made Keeladi significant? Archaeologists were stunned by a few findings. Most importantly, there was no evidence of religious symbols at the excavation site which hinted at the secular nature of the civilization. The finds also showed: the presence of a vibrant, sophisticated urban society in Keeladi the strong structures oriented in cardinal direction suggesting systematic urban planning port shreds with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions indicating a highly literate society the graffiti of the sun and moon demonstrated the astronomical sense of the people an ivory dice pointing to the presence of an elite society So, naturally the excitement around Keeladi's discoveries was palpable. Tamil historians and enthusiasts saw it as proof of an advanced ancient Tamil civilization but soon after things took a sharp turn. The significant transfer of Amarnath Ramakrishna It all began in 2017 when the ASI transferred Amarnath Ramakrishna to Assam just as the excavations were ramping up after first two phases. This move was seen by many as a blow to the project. Back then, political critics accused the Centre of deliberately derailing the excavations. It is because the Centre that had promised funding and support for further digs delayed both after the second phase. The local political climate grew tense with some alleging that the Centre was trying to suppress Tamil heritage. By 2017, the excavations had entered its third phase but this time, under archaeologist P.S. Sriraman. After excavating just about 400 square meters, Mr. Sriraman reported that there was no continuity in the brick structures that were previously discovered. This had fuelled accusations that the Centre was deliberately downplaying the significance of Keeladi. Madras High Court steps in Meanwhile, the issue reached the courts. The Madras High Court stepped in and its judges visited the excavation site. They then directed the ASI to continue the excavations and also allow Tamil Nadu's department of archaeology to get involved. The State's archaeology department did just that, and in 2019, they published a report asserting that Keeladi was indeed an urban settlement dating back to the Sangam era between the 6th century BCE and 1st century CE. From the third phase of excavation, it is the State archaeology department that has continued with the project but these findings have not helped resolve the issue, instead the drama has escalated. Cut to January 2023 when Amarnath Ramakrishna who was transferred back to Tamil Nadu submitted his report on the first two phases of excavation. Amarnath Ramakrishna's report to ASI For about two-and-a-half years, this report remained with the ASI, and just last month, the ASI sent Mr. Ramakrishna a letter asking him to revise the report. The Archaeological Survey of India questioned the dating and depth of certain findings, suggesting the evidence for the earliest period, as it 'appeared to be very early,' and said it needed further analysis. Amarnath Ramakrishna, however, stood firm and refused to rewrite his conclusions, defending his work as scientifically sound, based on rigorous archaeological standards. He argued that the report's chronology was backed by stratigraphic sequences, material culture and even Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). Political outrage In this backdrop, many political parties in Tamil Nadu including the DMK, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and historian R. Balakrishnan who is also a retired IAS officer have slammed the ASI's decision. They have termed it a blatant attempt to suppress Tamil heritage. They argued that the Centre's refusal to acknowledge Keeladi's significance was not just about science but also about politics. Amid the backlash, the Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Mr. Ramakrishnan's findings were not technically well-supported and further scientific studies were required to validate the findings. He sought more results, data and evidence because he said a single finding cannot change the entire discourse. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the archaeology portfolio, has been particularly vocal about the issue. He rhetorically posed, 'Though we are in the same country, why does the government have reservations? Is it because of its unquenchable desire to treat Tamils as second class citizens?' For the Minister, the issue is not just about Keeladi but about a symbolic fight for Tamil identity and history. MDMK leader Vaiko too alleged that the Centre was trying to suppress Tamil civilization while promoting what he called as 'a non-existent Sanskrit civilization'. His remark reflected the growing narrative that the Centre's actions were part of a broader political agenda. However, Mr. Shekhawat continued to justify his position saying that Tamil Nadu is an integral part of India and its heritage should be celebrated, not through divisive sentiments but through scientific, evidence-based knowledge. He told Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that the Union government has no hesitation in releasing any reports, and if such research is scientifically proven, it too would be proud to stand with the State. For the report to be accepted by the scientific community, more robust evidence is still needed, he added. The Union Minister wondered why the Tamil Nadu government was hesitant to cooperate with the Centre on this issue. Hence, the conflict continues. AIADMK's silence Interestingly, the AIADMK which was in power when the Keeladi report was proudly published is now largely silent, thanks to its renewed ties with the BJP. The Keeladi controversy is not just about one report or one excavation; it is a clash of narratives. The Centre insists on scientific validation while Tamil Nadu views it as a matter of cultural pride and historical recognition. The State government is pressing on with its excavations, which are underway, and it has already set up a new museum at Keeladi which is drawing thousands of visitors.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Archaeologist leading Keeladi excavation loses key role amid ongoing row
Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, known for leading the Keeladi (also known as Keezhadi) excavation in Tamil Nadu, has been relieved from his role as Director (Antiquity) in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and will now serve exclusively as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), headquartered in Greater transfer, which marks Ramakrishna's 12th in 21 years of service, comes at a time when political tensions between the BJP-led central government and the Tamil Nadu government continue over the interpretation and release of findings from the Keeladi part of his reassignment, Ramakrishna will now operate from NMMA's Greater Noida office, stepping away from ASI headquarters in New Delhi. The Director (Antiquity) role, which he vacated, involved broader responsibilities including the protection, registration, and repatriation of antiquities. In comparison, the NMMA position is seen by ASI insiders as more limited in scope. Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK has condemned the move, calling it 'authoritarian' and 'outrageous.'DMK MP and senior advocate P Wilson posted on X criticising the transfer, stating that Ramakrishna faced pressure from the Centre to alter findings and refused. Wilson alleged the government is attempting to bring in a more compliant officer to dilute the excavation's Naik, the official who had earlier directed Ramakrishna to revise his Keeladi report with additional data, has been given additional charge as Director (Antiquity). It was reportedly Naik's letter, sent nearly two-and-a-half years after the submission of the excavation report, that had sparked criticism from the DMK and allied parties, who accused the Centre of deliberately delaying the publication of the Minister MK Stalin had earlier voiced strong objections over central interventions related to the excavation, accusing Union ministers of disrespecting Tamil Nadu's contributions. Stalin also referenced Keeladi in recent public speeches, questioning the lack of appreciation for the discovery of what is believed to be the earliest Iron Age civilisation in the Keeladi excavation, located in Sivaganga district near Madurai, has been highlighted by Tamil Nadu leaders for pushing back the Sangam Age timeline to around 800 BCE, older than previously believed. However, the Centre has called for further data and evidence before making such historical claims official. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently reiterated that the Centre supports scientifically proven research but accused the DMK government of politicising the findings and not cooperating fully with ongoing NMMA was launched in 2007 during the UPA government to create a database of India's built heritage and archaeological sites. The project, initially expected to conclude in five years, has faced significant delays due to financial and administrative constraints.
Hans India
3 days ago
- 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.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
ASI archaeologist who authored Keeladi report transferred amid row
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has transferred Keeladi site excavator K Amarnath Ramakrishna almost a month after he refused to rework his report on the site of the ancient Tamil civilisation, officials aware of the matter said. According to the order issued on June 17, Ramakrishna has been transferred from his role as director of antiquity at the National Mission on Monument and Antiquity (NMMA) in New Delhi to director of the NMMA's Greater Noida office. This is the third time that Ramakrishna has been transferred within the ASI in the last nine months. The latest transfer comes a month after ASI asked Ramakrishna, who led the first two phases of excavations at Keeladi, to rework his 982-page report submitted to the agency in January 2023. The excavations at Keeladi, beginning in 2015, first narrowed the gap between the imaginations of the Tamil and the Indus Valley Civilisations (3,300 BCE to 13,00 BCE), the earliest known in the Indian subcontinent. This reconstruction of this ancient society evoked both linguistic and cultural pride, pushing Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin to claim that the Tamil civilisation was rich, modern and developed, and juxtapose Tamil pride against the Hindi heartland. This has come at a time when right-wing ideologues have increasingly argued that it was the indigenous people of South Asia who developed the Indus Valley and Harappan civilisation and were 'the Vedic people'. On May 21, the ASI asked Ramakrishna to resubmit the report on his findings after making necessary corrections in an effort to make it 'more authentic'. Five changes were suggested by the agency after two unnamed experts vetted the report. Two days later, Ramakrishna wrote to ASI, defending his findings and refusing to rework the report. DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson condemned the transfer, saying the BJP-led Centre were attempting to 'dilute the findings' of Ramakrishna's findings. 'As the pressure to officially release the report was building, the BJP is attempting to bring in a 'yes-man' in his (Ramakrishna) place who will withdraw the report and dilute the findings to suit their xenophobic narrative,' he said in a post on X. Ramakrishna was previously transferred in 2017 after two phases of excavation at the site. His successor later said that the third excavation at the site yielded 'no significant findings'.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
ASI transfers officer, DMK and Tamil Nadu parties cry foul
CHENNAI: Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, who first excavated Keezhadi in Madurai and whose findings triggered a war of words between the BJP-led centre and the Tamil Nadu government, faced his 12th transfer in his 21 years of service as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) relieved him from his post of Director (Antiquity) on Tuesday. Ramakrishna, who was serving as the Director (Antiquity) and as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), will henceforth be the director of only the NMMA. While TN parties have been asserting that the Keezhadi report provides evidence to indicate that the Sangam Age — which shows the antiquity of Tamil — could be pushed back to 800 BCE, making it around 300-500 years older than what was earlier thought, the union government had demanded more data, evidence and proof to acknowledge that claim. Reacting to Ramakrishna's transfer on Tuesday, the ruling DMK has alleged that 'it is a ploy to withdraw the (Keezhadi) report and dilute the findings'. The senior archaeologist, who is facing his third transfer since being promoted to the rank of a director, will have to shift from his office at the ASI's headquarters in New Delhi to the office of NMMA located in Greater Noida, sources said. Interestingly, H A Naik, the officer who had directed Ramakrishna to rework his report on the first two phases of excavation in Keezhadi (located in Sivaganga district near Madurai) with additional information regarding the dating, has been given additional charge as director (Antiquity). It was Naik's letter that kicked up a controversy last month as the DMK and other TN parties opposed to BJP had alleged this letter, which was sent around two-and-a-half years after Ramakrishna submitted his report, is a delaying tactic by the centre from bringing out the excavation results to the public domain.
