Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially recognise the Keezhadi excavation site as a monument of national importance and support the Tamil community’s cultural identity.
Haasan made the appeal during a press briefing in Chennai, stating that Keezhadi represents the roots of ancient Tamil civilization, predating many other urban archaeological findings across the subcontinent.
Keezhadi, located in Sivaganga district, has revealed extensive urban planning, script usage, and cultural continuity dating back to the Sangam era. The site has been under excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department.
“The Prime Minister must take concrete steps to recognise Keezhadi’s civilizational value and include it in the national heritage narrative,” said Haasan.
He also highlighted that recognition of Keezhadi is not merely cultural but also political and emotional, as it would strengthen Tamil people’s sense of identity and pride.
The actor-turned-politician pointed out that while other historical sites across India receive government-backed heritage status and promotion, Keezhadi has seen limited central acknowledgment despite its global archaeological relevance.
Political leaders and cultural activists across Tamil Nadu have long called for Keezhadi to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing its contribution to early urban development, literacy, and trade networks.
Kamal Haasan stressed that language, heritage, and archaeology must be celebrated uniformly across all regions of India. “Supporting Tamil identity is not separatism but respect for unity in diversity,” he added.
Several political parties in Tamil Nadu have echoed Haasan’s views over the years. However, his direct appeal to the Prime Minister underscores a renewed cultural push ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections.
The MNM leader has consistently championed the Tamil cause, including advocating for language rights, archaeological funding, and educational reforms in the state. Keezhadi remains a symbolic rallying point for Tamil pride, especially among the youth and academic community.
