Stalin hits out at BJP for 'bid to hide Keeladi site findings'

The BJP was attempting to hide findings from Keeladi because of their hatred for Tamil pride, said TN chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Thursday, amid the controversy over Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officer Amarnath Ramakrishna's report on the archaeological site and his transfer two days ago.

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI:

Describing ASI asking for additional evidence from Ramakrishna as a "blatant attack" on Tamil culture, Stalin in a letter to DMK cadre said that the party's struggle on this issue will not stop.

Stalin added that the final report submitted in 2023 by Ramakrishna was based on scientific results obtained from laboratories in Pune, Bengaluru, Florida (US), and Italy, analysing artifacts from the Keeladi excavations.

Stalin questioned whether the BJP has evidence to prove the existence of a Saraswathi civilisation, which he said is imaginary. "The BJP-led Union government has demanded additional evidence on Keeladi over two years after a detailed report was submitted to the ASI in 2023," Stalin said. "They are keen on suppressing Tamil cultural pride. This is a blatant attack on us."