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

DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva accuses BJP of cultural war on Tamil Nadu, urges resistance against suppression of ancient heritage.

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.