Kamal Haasan Meets PM Modi, Seeks Swift Recognition for Keeladi Discoveries

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to expedite formal recognition of the Keeladi archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu. The excavations, widely believed to affirm the antiquity of the Tamil civilisation, have become a matter of cultural pride and political contention in the state.

This meeting marked Haasan’s first interaction with the Prime Minister since taking his seat in the Upper House. In a social media post after the discussion, Haasan said he placed the Keeladi issue “foremost” among his requests, appealing for national support to present “the grandeur of Tamil civilisation and the timeless glory of the Tamil language” to the world.

The Keeladi site in Sivaganga district has yielded evidence of an advanced settlement from the 6th Century BCE, including signs of literacy, iron tool use, and urban planning. However, the Archaeological Survey of India has not yet granted official recognition, citing the need for further scientific corroboration.

The delay has triggered political backlash, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin accusing the BJP-led Centre of deliberately sidelining the findings to preserve a North India–centric historical narrative. The BJP denies the charge, asserting that its approach is guided purely by the need for rigorous evidence before international validation.

Haasan’s push for recognition comes amid growing calls from academics, cultural organisations, and the Tamil diaspora to safeguard and celebrate Keeladi’s place in the broader history of ancient civilisations.