BJP Slams Tamil Nadu Deputy CM for 'Dead Language' Remark, Demands Public Apology

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for describing Sanskrit as a 'dead language' during a book release event on November 21. The party has demanded an immediate public apology from Stalin for what they call a 'deeply derogatory' remark that undermines India's cultural heritage. According to BJP spokesperson A N S Prasad, Stalin's comment is a 'slap in the face' to millions of people who revere Sanskrit and Sanatan Dharma. Prasad emphasized that Sanskrit is not just a dead language but a vital part of India's cultural and spiritual fabric, shaping Hindu traditions and continuing to be an active medium of scholarship. Prasad pointed out that Sanskrit is one of the eight languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and is an integral part of liturgy and spiritual practices for millions of Indians. He also criticized Stalin for portraying the promotion of Sanskrit and other Indian languages as an 'imposition' on Tamil, a characterization that creates a false binary between Tamil and other classical languages. The BJP spokesperson invoked Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which permits reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order and morality, to argue that public representatives must be mindful of the impact of their words on the youth and the broader public. Prasad urged Stalin to withdraw his remarks and issue an unconditional public apology to millions of people who hold Sanskrit and Sanatan Dharma in high regard.