Union min belittles Keezhadi report, Thennarasu claps back

WADING into the controversy over the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) letter to archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna late last month that requested him to rework certain aspects of his report on Keezhadi excavation, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told reporters on Tuesday that the report was neither scientific nor technically well-supported.

- T MURUGANANDHAM

The findings from the archaeologist's digs in 2014-16, detailed in a report submitted in 2023, created a lot of interest as it provided evidence to indicate that the Sangam Age could be pushed back to 800 BCE, around 300-500 years older than what was thought.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai at the BJP headquarters, Shekhawat said there was a need to be cautious since some people are using these findings to fuel "regional sentiments".

Taking umbrage at Shekhawat's reply, State Minister for Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu said the comments show the centre's reluctance to acknowledge the antiquity of Tamil culture.

Shekhawat was addressing reporters on the PM Modi government's achievements in the last 11 years when reporters questioned him on the ASI's refusal to approve the report.

THE minister said, "Let them come with more results data, evidence, proof because only one finding cannot seize the discourse as people are trying to promote regional sentiments using this. That is not fair. We have to be very, very cautious on these things.