Chennai, Dec 22 (NationPress) The BJP's Tamil Nadu faction has harshly criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his recent statements made during a speech in Tirunelveli on December 21, claiming that his words reflect divisive rhetoric aimed at inciting separatist feelings.

As per the BJP, the Chief Minister's assertion that the Union Government was impeding research into Tamil history, alongside his declaration that Tamils would not succumb in a “two-thousand-year-old struggle”, is a reckless claim that casts the Centre as antagonistic toward Tamil culture.

Party spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad characterized these comments as unnecessarily confrontational, contending that they jeopardize national harmony and contravene the essence of cooperative federalism.

The BJP argues that Stalin's mention of an “ancient conflict” was a calculated maneuver to stir animosity against the Central government by presenting archaeological inquiries as a cultural dispute. They pointed out that archaeological oversight is within the Union List as per the Constitution, thus enabling national bodies like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct scientific digs.

Prasad further noted that the Chief Minister's critique of the Keeladi excavations was misleading, asserting that the ASI began excavations in 2015 and uncovered significant artifacts linked to the Sangam era, while subsequent phases were managed by the state archaeology department.

He mentioned that any delays were due to scientific protocols rather than political meddling, highlighting previous claims of procedural inefficiencies and lack of coordination at the state tier.

The BJP also refuted Stalin's dismissal of ongoing studies into the Saraswati River civilization. The spokesperson referenced geological surveys and remote sensing data that support the existence of a paleo-river system, arguing that such discoveries enrich India's civilizational narrative rather than detract from regional heritage.

The party pointed out the contradictory nature of Stalin's position, noting that he had recently inaugurated the Porunai Museum—a significant initiative celebrating Tamil archaeological achievements—yet continued to portray the Centre as adversarial.

According to the BJP, such statements imply a political agenda rather than genuine cultural pride. Labeling the Chief Minister's remarks as “highly provocative,” the BJP called for an immediate retraction and urged the Tamil Nadu government to foster a cooperative relationship with Central agencies.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to protecting regional heritage while promoting national unity, asserting that India's varied cultures are integral to a cohesive civilisational identity.