Archaeologist Amarnath Transferred To New Role In Noida Amid Keeladi Row; Political Leaders Condemn Move

K Amarnath Ramakrishna, the archaeologist widely credited for spearheading the landmark Keeladi excavations in Tamil Nadu, has been transferred to Greater Noida as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)—a move that has triggered sharp criticism from political leaders and academics alike. Ramakrishna’s reassignment comes amidst growing tensions between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Union Culture Ministry over the formal acknowledgment of Keeladi’s findings, which suggest the presence of a sophisticated urban Tamil civilisation along the Vaigai river during the Sangam era.

While his new post remains within the central administrative framework, the NMMA unit—set up in 2007—has been largely perceived as inactive, as per a report on The Hindu.

This is the third change in Ramakrishna’s designation in less than a year. He previously served as Director of Antiquity in New Delhi, and held a brief tenure as Director of Excavation and Exploration.

Political Outrage Amarnath Transfer

The transfer has sparked a political storm in Tamil Nadu, with leaders accusing the BJP-led Union government of deliberately attempting to dilute the findings of the Keeladi excavation.

Taking to social media, DMK MP P Wilson condemned the move, calling it an "outrageous and authoritarian transfer."

"It is well known how the BJP Government exerted pressure on all fronts on him to change his findings and he refused to budge. As the pressure to officially release the report was building, the BJP is attempting to bring in a 'yes-man' in his place who will withdraw the report and dilute the findings to suit their xenophobic narrative," he said. 

He also pointed out that HA Naik, the officer who had previously directed Ramakrishna to revise his report, has now been given additional charge as Director of Antiquity.

“You cannot bury history with propaganda. You cannot purchase scientific truths with money or power. Truth will triumph,” Wilson added.

CPI (M) MP Su Venkatesan, a vocal supporter of the Keeladi project, echoed these sentiments.

"This is not the only instance; for eight years, the Union government has been trying to obstruct the Keezhadi excavation. They transferred him (Archaeological officer Amarnath Ramakrishna) and also issued an order to stop the excavation and assign someone else to write the report," he said.

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