Centre obstructing TN’s archaeological excavations: Stalin

Madurai: While the Union govt is searching for ‘non-existent Saraswati river civilization,' it is obstructing archaeological excavations and publication of findings that establish the antiquity of Tamil civilization, said chief minister M K Stalin at a function in Tirunelveli on Sunday.Stalin said the Union govt is obstructing excavations conducted at many historical sites, starting with Keeladi in Tamil Nadu. "They don't want any research that proves the historical antiquity of Tamils to take place, and even if they do, they don't want the research findings to be released to the public," he said at a govt event held at Tirunelveli govt medical college ground. "They are searching for non-existent Saraswati river civilization; however, they do not wish to look at research findings we are placing right before their eyes," he said."We will not lose in this 2,000-year-old fight. We will continue to publish evidence and bring it to the public forum. That is why we are establishing museums," he said. He said that in the 2021 Union Budget, an announcement was made to establish a museum in Adichanallur; however, the works were yet to commence. "When the DMK came to power, the state archaeology department undertook excavations at Sivakalai and now inaugurated the Porunai museum," said Stalin, and extended an invitation to the Prime Minister and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Keeladi and Porunai museums to understand the antiquity of Tamil civilization.He alleged that during the past 10 years, the Union govt sabotaged Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in several ways by decreasing the number of working days and not releasing funds. "They have removed the name of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi from the scheme and replaced it with an incomprehensible Hindi name. BJP does not like words like secularism and unity, and therefore they dislike Gandhi, who emphasised these principles throughout his life," he said.Stalin said the Centre is now trying to destroy the very purpose of the scheme under which the state govt is expected to contribute 40% of funds, ‘an additional burden on us.' He said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is silent on the issue, though he calls himself a farmer. DMK and its allies will organise state-wide protests against the Union govt, he added.The chief minister inaugurated 33 completed projects worth Rs235.94 crore and laid foundation stone for 11 new projects worth Rs356.59 crore, and also provided welfare assistance worth Rs101.49 crore to 45,477 beneficiaries.New announcementsA new women's hostel will be constructed at Rs 16 crore at Rani Anna Government Women's College in Gandhi Nagar, Tirunelveli city.Work to improve Kangeyan Canal and Velloor stream, benefiting farmers in Pappakudi village, Cheranmahadevi taluk, Mukkudal, will be undertaken for Rs 4.01 crore.Accepting the demands of farmers in Nanguneri and Radhapuram taluks, the CM said Valliyur Periyakulam tank and Valliyooran canal will be renovated at Rs5 crore.

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