Madurai, June 19, 2025 – In a dramatic show of dissent, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Student Wing staged a protest outside the Madurai Collectorate yesterday, demanding that the Union Government immediately release the long‑awaited Keeladi excavation report. Led by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, hundreds of students and party workers carried placards reading “Release Keeladi Truth” and “Don’t Rewrite Tamil History.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com
5 Key Takeaways
- Immediate Demand: DMK insists the full Keeladi report—detailing a literate, urban Tamil civilization over 2,500 years old—be tabled in Parliament without further delay. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Accusations of Cultural Bias: Senior party leaders accuse the BJP‑led Centre of sidelining Tamil heritage to promote an “imaginary” Saraswati‑civilization narrative.
- Threat of Disruption: Trichy Siva warned of “parliamentary disruptions” if the report isn’t released before the monsoon session begins. indiatoday.in
- Archaeologist’s Position: K. Amarnath Ramakrishna—lead archaeologist for Keeladi—was transferred by the ASI amid the dispute, a move DMK calls punitive. indiatoday.in
- Fact‑Check Section Below: Clarifies contested claims around the site’s dating and scientific validation.
What Happened?
On June 18, 2025, DMK cadres gathered at 10 AM under sweltering Madurai heat to condemn what they called “the Centre’s calculated attempt to bury Tamil history.” Party president M.K. Stalin echoed these sentiments in Chennai, stating that it was not the Keeladi report that needed revision, but the mindset of officials questioning its scientific rigor. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
“Every artefact from Keeladi has undergone world‑class testing—in labs from Pune to the United States. Yet today, they ask us to doubt our own roots,”
said CM Stalin in a televised address.
Expert Insight
“In archaeological terms, Keeladi stands alongside Chalcolithic‑era sites of India,” explains Dr. Upinder Singh, renowned historian at the University of Delhi (Ph.D., Ancient Indian History, Cambridge). “Radiocarbon dating places habitation layers at c. 600 BCE, confirming advanced urban features—fired bricks, pottery with Tamil‑Brahmi inscriptions, and iron implements.”
Profile: Dr. Upinder Singh, Department of History, University of Delhi (15 years teaching & research)
Dr. Singh’s assessment aligns with the Archaeological Survey of India’s own categorization of Keeladi as a “site of national importance.” en.wikipedia.org
What Comes Next?
- Parliamentary Monsoon Session (July 21–Aug 8): DMK has vowed to press the issue on the floor of both Houses.
- Public Forum: A seminar on Keeladi’s scientific findings is slated for June 25 at the Madurai Archaeological Museum, featuring international scholars.
- Daily Digest:
- June 20: Student‑led “Torch of Tamil Pride” march in Chennai
- June 22: Government‑appointed panel reviews ASI’s handling of Keeladi
- June 25: Public seminar & Q&A at Madurai Museum
Why It Matters
- Cultural Identity: Keeladi’s findings challenge long‑held narratives that marginalize Tamil contributions to early urbanization.
- Academic Freedom: Delay in publication raises concerns over politicization of archaeology.
- Public Trust: Transparency in reporting is vital to maintain faith in heritage authorities.
