On 21 November 2023, Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated a photo exhibition organised by the Department of Archeology in Madurai to mark World Heritage Week, celebrated from 19 November 2023 to 25 November 2023. The exhibition, titled ‘Temples of Southern Tamil Nadu,’ was held at the Thiagarajar College campus in Madurai and was jointly organised by the Trichy Department of Archeology Department and Thiagarajar College.
During the event, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her concern over the lack of opportunities to showcase Tamil Nadu’s rich tradition. She highlighted the intricate sculptures carved by the ancients on rocks, representing the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. Sitharaman lamented the unfortunate practice of painting historical places with paint when a minister visits, emphasising the need to understand the consequences of such actions. She also expressed sorrow over how history is hidden if painting is done in such a manner and that archaeological rock structures are lost because of this. Additionally, Sitharaman emphasised the close connection between Tamil literature and Kudaivarai temples, noting that the writings in these temples are intertwined with the spirituality and literature of the Tamil language.
Madurai CPIM MP Su Venkatesan questioned why the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had abandoned the excavation in Keeladi. He also questioned why the ASI, even one researcher from TN was not included in the committee on Keeladi and why researcher Amarnath Ramakrishnan’s thesis on Keeladi had not been published to date.
மாண்புமிகு @nsitharaman அவர்கள் மதுரையில் ASI பற்றியும், தமிழ்நாட்டு வரலாறு பற்றியும் பெருமையோடு பேசியிருக்கிறார். அவருக்கு எனது நன்றி.
தமிழ்நாட்டு வரலாற்றின் புதிய திருப்புமுனை கீழடி. ஆனால் இதே ASI கீழடி அகழாய்வை கைவிட்டு வெளியேறியது ஏன் என்பதை கூற முடியுமா? 1/2 pic.twitter.com/hDDL2thoEm
— Su Venkatesan MP (@SuVe4Madurai) November 21, 2023
Debunking these claims and questions, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party State Secretary SG Suryah wrote on his X handle, “The field officers of Archaeological Survey of India are regularly carrying out archaeological excavations and field studies. Adichanallur is being developed as one of the five iconic sites in the country where archaeological excavations were conducted and excavated remains are being preserved to showcase archaeological heritage to the visitors in its own place. Honourable Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone in August 2023, the program was attended by Smt. Kanimozhi as well.”
He further added “Publication of excavation reports is a regular ongoing process which is done after thorough editing and in consultation with subject experts. The report of #Keezhadi is under the process and will be published in due course & there’s no attempt to stop it. So peddle your lies elsewhere Mr. Su Venkatesan & restrict yourself only to your best role of being a Tourist Guide to certain actors & their families in Keezhadi. But, like your previous stint, do not make poor Govt. School students wait for hours in the hot sun for your privileged VIP visit.”
The field officers of Archaeological Survey of India are regularly carrying out archaeological excavations and field studies. #Adichanallur is being developed as one of the five iconic sites in the country where archaeological excavations were conducted and excavated remains are… https://t.co/xBPCS0dk8b pic.twitter.com/fY8esPPWlK
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) November 21, 2023
It is noteworthy that Su Venkatesan was seen along with actor Suriya and Jothika during their visit to the Keeladi museum in April 2023 when schoolchildren were forced to stand in the scorching sun for several hours outside.
It is also not the first time that Venkatesan has peddled misinformation on social media – he is a habitual liar. He fabricated lies by misquoting Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia – he claimed that his request for a Madurai airport was turned down by Scindia in 2021. He peddled false propaganda by quoting wrong data about the budget allocations of the Central Government in 2022. He also claimed that it was compulsory for the loco pilot driving the first Vande Bharat train to know Hindi.
He had also peddled lies about Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman about write-offs without understanding the basic difference between write-offs and waivers. He also claimed that the only volleyball training center in Tamil Nadu had been shifted to Varanasi and that orders were passed to cancel the recognition of volleyball and handball training centers in Mayiladuthurai.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.