While Tamils speak based on evidence, the North bases arguments on faith, says ‘Tiruchi' Siva

The Hindu

18-06-2025

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N. Siva said that while Tamils speak based on evidence, people in the North often rely on faith. He made this remark during a protest organised by the DMK students' wing on Monday, demanding that the Union government release the findings of the Keeladi excavation.
Mr. Siva accused the BJP of waging a cultural war on Tamil Nadu and urged people to resist it with vigour and valour. 'They have spent over ₹2,000 crore trying to rename the Indus Valley civilisation as the Saraswati civilisation based purely on literary references. Despite no evidence of such a river's existence, they continue to propagate this idea to mislead the public,' he alleged.
He noted that artefacts such as pots and burial urns discovered during the Adichanallur excavation in 1906 predate even the Harappan civilisation findings of 1921, highlighting the ancient heritage of Tamil culture and language.
Mr. Siva also referenced findings from Alagankulam, where liquor containers (kuduvai) originating from countries like Egypt were discovered, indicating that Tamils were engaged in international trade long before many others.
He alleged that the BJP-led central government attempted to suppress the Keeladi excavations to prevent the exposure of Tamil cultural prominence. According to Mr. Siva, the initial excavation led by K. Amarnath Ramakrishna of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was halted following his transfer. His successor allegedly discontinued the survey, claiming no further evidence could be found.
However, the Tamil Nadu government later resumed the excavation through its own archaeological department, unearthing significant artifacts such as stone walls, bathrooms, ornaments, clay toys, and roofing structures.
'As the BJP now questions the authenticity of these findings, they must understand that the evidence has been verified by leading archaeologists and tested in top laboratories,' Mr. Siva asserted.
He added that the discoveries at Keeladi, supported by other excavations at Sivagalai and Adichanallur, clearly demonstrate that Tamils were pioneers in fields such as architecture and trade.
'This protest must grow into a larger movement until the Union government releases a full report on the Keeladi findings,' Mr. Siva concluded.
Addressing the gathering, the DMK students' wing secretary said the Tamil people's historic resistance to Hindi imposition sets an example for the current generation to fight for their language, culture, and traditions.