DMK Leads Fierce Protest Over Keezhadi Row Against Centre
DMK has reignited a cultural and political firestorm with its latest protest against the BJP-led Centre, this time over the transfer of archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, known for his path-breaking excavation work in Keezhadi. The protest, organized by the party’s youth wing, took place in Madurai on Wednesday and strongly opposed what the DMK calls an “attempt to rewrite or erase Tamil history.”
The Keezhadi excavation site, located near Madurai, has been considered a critical piece of evidence linking ancient Tamil culture to the larger urbanisation timeline of India. Ramakrishna’s findings suggest that the temporal gap between the Indus Valley Civilisation in the north and Keezhadi in the south is much narrower than previously thought potentially just a thousand years apart. This discovery, along with signs and graffiti similar to Indus Valley symbols found in Tamil Nadu, has challenged long-held beliefs about when South India entered its historical phase.
DMK Highlights Tamil Pride, Blames Centre for Undermining History
In the heart of this political clash, DMK leaders have accused the Centre of deliberately undermining the significance of the Keezhadi findings. According to them, the BJP’s push for a Vedic-centric narrative leaves little room for Dravidian history and achievements. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), they allege, pressured Ramakrishna to revise the dating of his findings, suggesting that his proposed timeline was “too early” and should be changed to pre-300 BCE.
Ramakrishna, who defended his research, refused to alter the dating, standing by his scientific assessment. Soon after, he was transferred — a move that the DMK claims is not coincidental, but a deliberate attempt to silence alternative historical narratives that don’t align with the Centre’s ideological framework.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat added fuel to the fire by stating that the Keezhadi findings were “not technically well-supported yet.” In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin accused the BJP of trying to erase history that doesn’t “fit its script.” Stalin, who has consistently championed Tamil identity, said that such interventions are an affront to the pride and legacy of Tamil Nadu.
DMK Tightens Political Strategy Around Tamil Identity and Keezhadi
The DMK has made it clear that this is more than just a scholarly disagreement. For them, Keezhadi represents Tamil Nadu’s civilisational pride. Stalin has previously tied the Keezhadi discoveries to broader Tamil symbols from language and art to traditional practices like Jallikattu. In 2023, the Tamil Nadu government even announced a $1 million prize for anyone who could decode the Indus Valley script, highlighting the deep commitment to establishing Tamil roots in ancient Indian history.
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This current protest aligns with the DMK’s broader electoral strategy. With Assembly elections on the horizon and the Centre-state relationship already strained over issues like language, finance, and delimitation, the Keezhadi issue adds emotional weight to the DMK’s narrative. It underscores the party’s positioning as the defender of Dravidian heritage and Tamil dignity.
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Conclusion:
DMK has turned the Keezhadi row into a symbolic fight not just about archaeology, but about identity, respect, and political power. As the state continues to push back against the Centre’s stance, the issue is likely to stay in the spotlight, influencing both cultural consciousness and the upcoming electoral landscape.
