The Union Culture Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, told Parliament that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not asked for a new report on the Keezhadi excavation. This statement was made to address concerns about the findings at the Keezhadi site in Tamil Nadu.DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran had asked about the accuracy of the findings. He also claimed that the archaeologist, Amarnath Ramakrishna, was pressured to change his report. However, the minister confirmed that ASI has not requested any revised report from the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.
The article explains that ASI gives permission for excavations and offers technical help. But it does not fund the work done by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, which has been digging at Keezhadi since 2018.
It also clarifies that draft reports are checked by experts. The excavators should make suggested changes before the final report is published. In the Keezhadi case, the archaeologist was told about expert suggestions but has not yet made the corrections. The article also mentioned that Amarnath Ramakrishna was transferred from his role as Director (Antiquity) at ASI but still leads the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities.