Keeladi excavation report of archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna: Why are Centre and T.N. government at loggerheads?

Archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna's transfer sparks controversy over Keeladi excavation findings, highlighting clash of narratives in Tamil Nadu.

The story so far: On June 17, 2025, archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, twhose excavation at Keeladi (also spelt Keezhadi) in Tamil Nadu drew the nation’s attention, was transferred yet again, this time from New Delhi to Greater Noida. Mr. Ramakrishna, who was serving as the Director (Antiquity) and as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), will now be the director of only the NMMA. The NMMA unit set up in 2007, according to sources, almost remains defunct. This move drew criticism from political circles in the State.

Over two years after Mr. Ramakrishna submitted his 982-page report on the first two phases of excavations carried out at Keeladi under his leadership between 2014 and 2016, a fresh controversy erupted last month. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) mandated him to revise his report but Mr. Ramakrishna refused to do it. This disagreement sparked a political clash between the Centre and Tamil Nadu. The State’s Minister for Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu even accused the BJP-led Union government of treating Tamils as second class citizens.

Keeladi, located about 12 km southeast of Madurai in Sivaganga district has become a symbol of pride for many in Tamil Nadu. Over a decade ago, Amarnath Ramakrishna who was then the ASI’s Superintending Archaeologist had initiated excavations at a site known as the Pallichanthai Tidal in Keeladi, a place that was originally a coconut grove spanning 100 acres. He had identified over 100 sites for excavation along the Vaigai River but Keeladi stood out.

It was in Keeladi that they unearthed over 7,500 ancient artifacts including wall structures, drainage systems and wells - all evidence of a sophisticated urban society that thrived. What was even more compelling was the carbon dating which revealed that these elements are over 2,160 years old dating back to the 2nd century BCE which is the time of the Sangam period in Tamil history.

Archaeologists were stunned by a few findings. Most importantly, there was no evidence of religious symbols at the excavation site which hinted at the secular nature of the civilization.

The finds also showed:

So, naturally the excitement around Keeladi’s discoveries was palpable. Tamil historians and enthusiasts saw it as proof of an advanced ancient Tamil civilization but soon after things took a sharp turn.