DMK urges Centre to hand over Anaimangalam copper plates to Tamil Nadu

Senior DMK leader and former Archaeology Minister Thangam Thennarasu made a strong case for bringing the Anaimangalam copper plates to Tamil Nadu, saying the state is the true home of historically important artefacts.

“The Union government should ensure that these copper plates are brought to Tamil Nadu and handed over to the State government. The Tamil Nadu Government should also make necessary efforts in this regard without delay and ensure that they are brought back to their homeland,” he said.

The plates, which have been in the possession of Leiden University in the Netherlands since 1862, were presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to The Hague on May 16.

Recalling the efforts made by the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in bringing copper plates back to the country, Mr. Thennarasu said the government had assured the Legislative Assembly that necessary steps would be taken for this purpose.

“We constantly put pressure on the Union government in this regard. Today, the joint and continuous efforts of everyone have yielded this fruitful result,” he said.

Mr. Thennarasu said the plates are not just archaeological artefacts but also enduring testimonies of the history, culture and grandeur of the Chola Empire of the Tamils.

“I demand that these heritage treasures be preserved among the people of Tamil Nadu, who are deeply committed to their history, and displayed in a way that allows the public to view them,” he said.