Chennai, India – Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has ignited controversy by describing Sanskrit as a “dead language,” accusing the central government of favouring it over Tamil through uneven funding. His remarks have triggered a sharp backlash from the BJP and stirred debate over language policy in India.
Funding Disparity: Tamil vs Sanskrit
At a book release event in Chennai, Stalin criticised the Union government’s language policy, pointing out a huge gap in funding for Tamil compared to Sanskrit. He revealed that the Centre allocated only ₹150 crore for Tamil development over the past decade, while Sanskrit received a whopping ₹2,400 crore.
Stalin argued that this disparity reflects a broader cultural bias. He said:
“On the other hand, you impose Hindi and Sanskrit on our students because you don’t want them to study Tamil. How is this fair?”
He urged people, especially in the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, to question this “injustice.”
BJP Strikes Back: Responsibility, Respect for Languages
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly objected to Stalin’s remark. Tamilisai Soundararajan, senior BJP leader, said no one has the right to call any language “dead,” especially one like Sanskrit, which is still used in prayers and rituals across India.
She added that leaders should speak more responsibly about language and culture.
According to her, Tamil itself has absorbed many Sanskrit words over time — a reflection, she argues, of Tamil’s strength and openness, not a sign of weakness.
The Broader Implications
Linguistic Identity Politics Stalin’s comments reflect long-standing tensions in India over language policy, especially among states like Tamil Nadu, which prioritise their regional language and resist perceived cultural imposition. Cultural Heritage Debate Sanskrit, often regarded as a classical language, holds religious and historical significance. Critics argue that calling it “dead” undermines its role in India’s cultural heritage. Election-Year Significance With the Tamil Nadu elections on the horizon in 2026, the debate could be used by political parties to rally voters around language identity and perceived injustices in funding. Education and Language Policy The controversy also raises questions about the three-language policy, the role of Sanskrit in schools, and how government allocations influence which languages flourish or decline.