BJP Tamil Nadu has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to order an immediate inquiry and appropriate legal action under the relevant laws against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his derogatory and inflammatory remarks terming Sanskrit a “dead language” – a direct affront to the Constitution of India and the sentiments of crores of citizens.
BJP TN spokesperson ANS Prasad, in his letter dated November 24, said, “Udhayanidhi Stalin deliberately and repeatedly described Sanskrit – a language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India and recognised globally as one of the greatest living classical languages – as a ‘dead language’ (செத்த மொழி). He further insinuated that promotion of Sanskrit and Hindi by the Government of India amounts to an ‘imposition’ on Tamil and Tamil Nadu, thereby creating a false and divisive narrative between the classical languages of our country”.
Adding further, he said, “these statements are not only factually false but constitute a direct assault on: the spirit and letter of the Constitution of India, particularly the Eighth Schedule and the cultural unity it symbolises; the religious and cultural sentiments of crores of Hindus across India for whom Sanskrit remains the sacred liturgical language of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and temple rituals governed by Agama Shastras; and the secular and inclusive ethos that holders of high constitutional office are duty-bound to uphold”.
Prasad pointed out, “By publicly denigrating a constitutionally recognised language and linking it with an alleged attack on another classical language (Tamil), the Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister has indulged in deliberate provocation that has the potential to disturb communal harmony, public order, and the federal linguistic equilibrium of the nation”.
Concluding his letter, the Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson said, “In light of the above, we earnestly urge your good offices to: order an immediate inquiry by the Ministry of Home Affairs into the aforesaid statements of Udhayanidhi Stalin; initiate appropriate legal action under relevant sections of law including, but not limited to, Section 153A, Section 295A, and Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (or corresponding sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, if already in force) for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and language, outraging religious feelings, and making statements conducing to public mischief; and consider any other measures deemed fit under Article 256 or other constitutional provisions to ensure that a high constitutional functionary of a State does not misuse public platforms to undermine the unity, integrity, and cultural heritage of India”.
In a statement issued separately on the same issue, Prasad said, “We also call upon him to withdraw those remarks and issue a sincere apology and should stop doing language and religious politics and instead engage in people-welfare politics. Equally regrettable is the portrayal of legitimate policy initiatives of the Government of India—such as the promotion of Sanskrit, Hindi, and other Indian languages under the three-language formula and the National Education Policy 2020—as an alleged ‘imposition’ on Tamil. Such characterisation creates an unnecessary binary between Tamil and other classical languages of India, whereas the stated policy of the Union Government has always been to preserve and promote all classical languages, including both Tamil and Sanskrit”.
Prasad added, “Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has declared himself a ‘Christian’, with the apparent intent to destroy the sanctity of Hinduism that guides the world, has once again launched a cruel attack – with malicious intent – on Sanatan Dharma and the Hindu religion by calling Sanskrit, the powerful language containing mantras used in most temples of Bharat to praise Hindu deities in accordance with the Agama rules of Sanatan Dharma, a ‘dead language’ in the most vulgar manner. This unforgivable act was carried out by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, elected by the people as per the Indian Constitution”.
He added, “the richness of Tamil is in no way diminished by acknowledging the equal antiquity and continuing relevance of Sanskrit, just as the glory of Tamil is not diminished by the global reverence for Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, or Latin”.
Condemning his speech, Prasad said, “to call Sanskrit, which Hindus regard as the very life-breath and worship, a ‘dead language’ for the sake of minority vote-bank politics and to oppose Sanatan Dharma, sounds like Satan reciting the Vedas. Is it fair to belittle one language while claiming to uplift another? Is this the way to develop Tamil?… BJP remains firmly committed to the simultaneous flourishing of Tamil and all other classical and scheduled languages of India”.
He said, “We hope, in the larger interest of communal harmony and national unity, [he will] withdraw the objectionable remarks and tender an unconditional public apology for the hurt caused to millions who hold Sanskrit and Sanatan Dharma dear… We expect CM MK Stalin to advise his son and colleague that public discourse from a person holding the second-highest constitutional office in the State must at all times reflect maturity, inclusiveness, and respect for India’s pluralistic ethos”.
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