**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2402, addressed on August 4, 2025, regarding the protection of state-led excavations from political intervention, specifically concerning the Keezhadi excavation in Tamil Nadu.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated the following:
* **ASI Staff Transfers:** No Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) staff transfers were carried out without consultation that caused disruption in the Keezhadi scientific excavation and public trust.
* **Assurances to Tamil Nadu Government:** No assurances were given by the ASI to the State Government of Tamil Nadu for maintaining archaeological continuity and dating credibility.
* **Intergovernmental Panels:** No intergovernmental expert panels or heritage bodies have been constructed beyond the ASI to validate and preserve Sangam period research.
* **Legislative Measures:** Excavations in India are conducted according to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. State governments have enacted their own legislation aligning with this Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Keezhadi: A village in Tamil Nadu, India, known for its ongoing archaeological excavation site, yielding significant artifacts from the Sangam period.
State Government of Tamil Nadu: The government of the state of Tamil Nadu in India.
Sangam period: An ancient period of history in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, known for its rich literature and cultural developments.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958: An act of the Parliament of India to preserve ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2402.
ANSWERED ON 4.8.2025
Protection of State led Excavation from Political Intervention
2402:DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) whether any Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) staff transfers were carried
out without consultation, have been causing disruption in Keezhadi’s scientific
excavation and public trust;
b) the details of the assurances given by the Government to State Government of
Tamil Nadu for maintaining archaeological continuity and dating credibility
under ASI;
c) whether inter-governmental expert panels or heritage bodies have been
constructed beyond ASI–to validate and preserve Sangam period research; and
d) the details of the legislative measures exist or are proposed to protect State-led
excavations from political intervention?
e)
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) : No, Sir.
(b) : No assurances have been given by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
to the State Government of Tamil Nadufor maintaining archaeological
continuity and dating credibility.
(c) : No expert panels or heritage bodies have been constructedbeyond ASIto
validate and preserve Sangam period research.
(d) : The excavations in the country are conducted as per the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.
Respective state governments have enacted their own legislation, aligning
with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
1958.
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