Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, sparked a fresh controversy on Friday, 21 November 2025, by describing Sanskrit as a “dead language,” a remark that has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP and highlighted a stark contrast between his public statements and his family’s private religious practices.
The DMK leader made the comment while addressing a book release event in Chennai, where he criticized the Union government’s allocation of funds for language development.
“It is condemnable that the Union government has allotted a mere ₹50 crore for Tamil development, while a dead language like Sanskrit is being granted ₹2,400 crore,” Stalin stated, questioning the central government’s priorities.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin calls Sanskrit a ‘dead language’, sparks controversy@DharanVija47684 reports pic.twitter.com/oHTh25PKb0
— NDTV (@ndtv) November 24, 2025
This is not the first time Udhayanidhi Stalin has stirred a major controversy with his comments on Sanatana Dharma. In September 2023, he called for the “eradication” of Sanatana Dharma, comparing it to diseases like dengue and malaria that must be eliminated.
A Stark Contrast: Public Rationalism vs. Private Piety
The Deputy CM’s repeated public stance against elements of Hindu tradition stands in sharp contrast to the deeply religious practices observed within his own household. There is proof of his own mother Durga Stalin visiting temples. There are even videos of his mother, Durga Stalin, and her large and elaborate puja room at the Stalin residence and is a devout practitioner who chants Sanskrit shlokas and mantras daily as part of her worship.
Wow, look at Deputy CM Udhay’s mom chant Harry Potterish incantations in a dead language.
Rationalism for the world, religion for my house
Eradicate Sanatana for the world, practise Sanatana in my houseOh Hypocrisy, thou art Dravidam incarnate❤️🖤pic.twitter.com/wZj6h4dMIE
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) November 22, 2025
This dichotomy has not gone unnoticed by political opponents and observers, who point to a perceived “double standard.” This only proves that Udhayanidhi preaches rationalism for the world, and practices religion for his own house, eradicate Sanatana Dharma for the world, practise Sanatana Dharma in his own house.
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