Tamil Nadu Minister Slams Sanskrit Funding: "Who Understands Those Chants?"

Tamil Nadu Minister EV Velu sparked controversy on Friday by mocking Sanskrit ritual chants used in Hindu weddings, questioning their relevance and the Union government’s hefty funding for the language’s development.

Speaking at a public event in Vellore, Velu took aim at the Centre’s allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for Sanskrit, while Tamil, a living classical language, received a mere Rs 167 crore. “Who even understands Sanskrit?” Velu asked, mimicking the chants often heard at marriage ceremonies. “Can two lovers express their love in Sanskrit? In Tamil, they can!” He emphasized Tamil’s accessibility, calling it a vibrant language spoken by people from all walks of life, unlike Sanskrit, which he claimed is understood by few.

Velu highlighted Tamil Nadu’s significant contribution as the second-highest GST revenue generator in India, arguing that the state deserves better support for its linguistic and cultural heritage. “They take our money through GST and pour it into Sanskrit. Why spend Rs 2,500 crore on a language no one understands?” he questioned, accusing the Centre of neglecting Tamil.

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The minister also praised Tamil Nadu’s leadership in education and other sectors, urging greater investment in the state’s rich linguistic traditions. “We must protect our language,” he declared. Velu’s remarks echo recent criticism from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who last month accused the BJP-led Union government of favoring Sanskrit over Tamil and other South Indian languages.

In a post on X, Stalin wrote, “Sanskrit gets crores; Tamil and other South Indian languages get nothing but crocodile tears.” Tamil Nadu Minister Anbil Mahesh also weighed in recently, slamming the Centre for prioritizing Sanskrit over India’s five other classical languages. “There’s a continuous bias,” Mahesh said, pointing to the disproportionate funding.

The controversy underscores growing tensions over linguistic priorities, with Tamil Nadu leaders demanding equitable support for their state’s cultural heritage.

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