Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has sparked a new political controversy after he reportedly called Sanskrit a “dead language” while questioning the Union government’s spending priorities. His comments also appeared to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statements praising Tamil.
Speaking at an event in Chennai, Udhayanidhi accused the Centre of giving more importance to Sanskrit while neglecting Tamil. Addressing the Prime Minister directly, he said, “When you say you want to learn Tamil, why are you making children learn Hindi and Sanskrit?” He also claimed that the Union government had spent ₹2,400 crore on Sanskrit and only ₹150 crore on Tamil in the last ten years.
His remarks quickly drew criticism from the BJP, which accused him of disrespecting cultural traditions and hurting religious sentiments.
Former Telangana Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan strongly condemned Udhayanidhi’s comments. She said that Tamil culture does not support insulting any other language. “We can appreciate our own language, but even Tamil won’t allow degrading other languages,” she said. “If you appreciate one language, it does not mean you are insulting another mother tongue.”
Calling his remarks “highly condemnable,” she said Udhayanidhi had earlier targeted Sanatana Dharma and was now attacking a language “used in all our prayers.” She demanded that he withdraw the statement immediately. “My mother tongue Tamil is broad-minded and respected by people who speak other languages. He must take back his words,” she added.
Udhayanidhi’s comments come at a time when debates over language, cultural identity, and regional pride continue to influence politics in Tamil Nadu and across the country.
