DMK MP Kanimozhi Slams Centre’s Sanskrit Push, Flags Marathi Decline In Fresh Language Row

Last Updated:September 15, 2025, 10:09 IST

Kanimozhi criticised the central government for prioritising Sanskrit, arguing that it is no longer a language in common use

DMK MP Kanimozhi | File Image

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi slammed the central government for pushing Sanskrit, arguing that it is no longer a language in common use, even as significant funds continue to be allocated for its promotion.

Speaking in Madurai, Kanimozhi said Tamil has remained a living language “from time immemorial,” while Sanskrit does not serve as a spoken medium today.

“Yet, the central government continues to allocate large amounts of funding for Sanskrit,” she said.

The MP also drew comparisons with Maharashtra, where, she claimed, wider acceptance of Hindi has led to a decline in the prominence of Marathi, the state’s official language.

She contrasted this with Tamil Nadu, noting that resistance to Hindi imposition has ensured the preservation of the Tamil language, culture, and traditions.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of several disputes over language, especially between southern states and the Centre.

The National Education Policy (NEP), with its focus on the three-language formula, has drawn opposition from Tamil Nadu, where both the DMK and opposition parties have rejected any move that could make Hindi compulsory in schools.

The DMK has long positioned itself as a defender of linguistic diversity.

The DMK, which has opposed what it calls “Hindi imposition,” has repeatedly raised concerns in Parliament and in public forums.

In the past, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin criticised the promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit in official functions and education, describing it as a threat to federalism and linguistic diversity.

The language issue resurfaced last year when Union Home Minister Amit Shah suggested that Hindi could serve as a unifying language across the country, drawing sharp responses from DMK leaders.

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