Civilization and its dissatisfaction

Archaeological excavation in progress in Keladi in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. File | Photo Credit: Hindu

CIvilisation and culture are deeply involved in the identity of any society and attempts to rebuild or regulate them often invite political consequences. In the last fortnight, this became clear when political parties in Tamil Nadu resisted a resistance on two fronts – the ancient civilization of one state and the other, about its financial practices.

In the first example, The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has made an archaeologist. Amarnath Ramakrishna was asked to revise his 982-page report on Keladi excavation. Sri Ramakrishna, who revealed the ancient urban settlement near Madurai about a decade ago, submitted a report in January 2023. The report pointed back to a rich civilization back in the Sangam Yuga – suggesting a parallel, if not before, the timeline for the Vedic civilization.

The ASI said that the request for reform was based on the input of two independent experts and was aimed at increasing the authenticity of the report. However, at the time and nature of this move, the Center for a long time rejected political doubts in Tamil Nadu that the Center had been demanding to reduce the antiquity of Tamil civilization. Shri Ramakrishna refused to amend his report, saying that his conclusions were supported by detailed documents.

The ruling DMK and its colleagues – in particular, CPI (M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi – condemned ASI’s request. He accused the Center of attempting to suppress the evidence that can challenge the primacy of Vedic civilization in India’s historical story. Historian and former IAS Officer, R. Balkrishnan, writer Tour to a civilization: Vagai from IndusDescribed the demand of ASI as originating from “pressure of history”. He warned against historical prejudice in multicultural nation like India, emphasizing the need for responsible scholarship.

In response to criticism, the Union Ministry of Culture issued an explanation through ASI, called the allegations “misleading” and “contrary to the truth”. It insisted that the veating process was devoid of standard and prejudice. Nevertheless, given that earlier, central funding and excavation were stopped to the midway, which forces the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology to step into, the issue is politically accused.

The second dispute included the draft of the Reserve Bank of India (borrowed against the gold collateral), 2025. The proposed measures had 75% cap at the loan-to-price ratio, evidence of ownership for pledged gold, and limit on the amount of gold that is 1 kg for jewelry and 50 grams for coin for jewelry and 50 grams for boar.

These proposed sanctions came to the center of the financial culture of Tamil Nadu, where gold loans play a primary and important role, especially for women, farmers, small traders and rural communities. In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitarman, Chief Minister MK Stalin described gold not only as an ornament but a significant financial security for homes. He warned that the new rules would run weak borrowers in the hands of hunter lenders and exploitative loan apps. State Finance Minister Thagam Thenarasu called the draft guidelines “deeply insensitive” and accused RBI of abolishing “systemic injustice” against economically weaker sections.

Even Bharatiya Janata Party colleagues and supporters, including AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Catchi, Tamil Maanila Congress and Amma Makkal Munnitra Kazgam, opposed RBI’s move. AIADMK General Secretary Edappdi. Palaniswami argued that the new rules would harm the poor and middle classes, including a large part of India’s population.

Recognizing political influences, the Union Finance Ministry intervened. This suggested exemption to small-tick borrowers-which are seeking loans below ₹ 2 lakh-to ensure their continuous access to time to time to time.

In both the Keladi excavation dispute and the proposed golden loan rules, the vocal response of Tamil Nadu forced the Center to respond. These episodes underline how deep issues of civilization and financial practice echo in the state – and how political sensitivity to these dimensions can increase rapidly in widespread controversies. By step, the Center may have postponed an unstable flash point, at least in the run-up in next year’s assembly elections, in relation to the gold loan rules.