CPI urges Centre to release Amarnath report on Keeladi excavations

CHENNAI: CPI has urged BJP govt at the Centre to immediately release archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna’s report on the Keeladi excavations, saying the findings scientifically established the antiquity of Tamil civilization.

In a statement on Wednesday, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the 982-page report, prepared after extensive excavations and scientific studies at Keeladi, in Sivaganga district, confirmed that Tamil civilization predated the Vedic period. He said the report, submitted in 2023, was backed by scientific evidence and historical data. “The report should be released immediately without any alterations,” he said.

Veerapandian alleged that BJP govt was “exerting pressure” on Ramakrishna to alter the report as its findings would contradict the “unscientific and regressive” narratives based on myths and epics propagated by the Centre. Veerapandian condemned the alleged move to seek corrections in the report and said the Union govt should not attempt to suppress historical truths.

After Amarnath Ramakrishna submitted his report, he was asked by ASI to revise the report. But he declined, saying he would become “a criminal” if he changed the concept. ASI then formed an internal committee and directed Ramakrishna to add the recommendations of the committee in his report, but he once again declined to do so.