The ongoing dispute over the proposed tungsten mining project near Madurai has sparked a war of words between the BJP and the ruling DMK government, focusing on protecting archaeological sites. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai has accused the DMK of playing “cheap politics” over the issue, claiming that the state government failed to inform the central authorities about the presence of ancient burial sites near the tungsten mining area.
Controversy erupted when it was revealed that the government had selected a region near Alagar Malai, home to several 2,000-year-old burial sites and is renowned for its rich cultural and archaeological heritage, for tungsten mining. Local villagers raised concerns about the potential impact of the mining activities on these ancient sites, leading to protests.
Annamalai criticized the DMK for not addressing the concerns earlier and for playing political games by suddenly raising the issue months after the project was approved. “Only in February did the central government announce the auction for critical minerals like tungsten. For the past 10 months, nobody raised concerns about the project, despite the proximity of significant archaeological sites. The DMK, however, decided to make this a major issue only after the protests began in December,” he said.
Annamalai also claimed that the Tamil Nadu government had initially given input to the central government, encouraging the mining project. “The state government actively supported the project earlier in the year, but now they’re trying to create an issue by politicizing it. This is pure drama by the DMK,” he said.
In response to the protests, the central government has pledged to investigate the issue, with Union Minister of State for Mines, Kishan Reddy, assuring that the concerns of the local villagers and the preservation of cultural heritage would be prioritized. Annamalai further emphasized that the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never allow projects that harm the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Archaeological Sites at Risk
The Alagar Malai region, where the mining project is planned, is home to significant archaeological sites, including burial mounds believed to date back to over 2,000 years. These burial sites are part of the region’s rich history and have been of interest to historians and archaeologists for their unique cultural significance. The presence of such sites raises concerns over the impact of large-scale mining on the preservation of these historical artifacts.
Archaeologists have warned that mining activities could disturb the integrity of the burial sites and the surrounding areas. The local community has voiced their concerns, citing the potential destruction of these ancient structures. TN BJP chief Annamalai has urged the DMK government to clarify why these concerns were not communicated to the central government earlier, and why the preservation of these sites was not a priority when the project was first discussed.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.