Tamil Nadu minister mimicks Sanskrit verses: 'Who the hell even understands'

Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu questioned why the Sanskrit language receives heavy financial backing from the Centre

Mimicking Sanskrit verses typically recited during Hindu wedding ceremonies, Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu on Friday questioned why the language receives heavy financial backing from the Centre, according to India Today.

“Who the hell even understands that? Can two lovers confess their love in Sanskrit? They can do so in Tamil,” he said while speaking at a public event in Vellore.

According to Velu, Tamil is a living language spoken and understood by people across all walks of life.

ஹிந்து திருமண மந்திரங்களை ஏளனம் செய்த அமைச்சர் எ.வ. வேலு .#Tamilnadu #DMK #Minister #HinduMarriage #AVVelu@vhpdtn @VHPNTN @hindumunnani_tn @TamilJanamNews @BS_Prasad @SuryahSG @Sevakofmata pic.twitter.com/ftENaojSUQ

— Vijayabharatham Digital (@v_bharatham) July 4, 2025

According to the India Today report, Velu criticised the Centre for allocating Rs 2,500 crore for Sanskrit development while providing only Rs 167 crore for Tamil. He also said Tamil Nadu is the second-highest contributor to Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues in India but it receives “disproportionately less for the promotion of its own classical language”.

“By taking our money via GST, they are using it for Sanskrit development. Does anyone even understand Sanskrit? We can say ‘I love you’ in Tamil. If you go to a marriage function, they speak in Sanskrit. Who the hell even understands that?” Velu said.

Velu accused the Centre of neglecting Tamil while favouring a language spoken by a limited section of society.

The minister said Tamil Nadu has consistently led India in education and other fields and deserved better investment for its linguistic development. “We need to protect our language,” said Velu.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin recently alleged that the BJP’s real intention is to impose Sanskrit and Hindi as only a façade. “Sanskrit gets the crores; Tamil and other South Indian languages get nothing but crocodile tears. False affection for Tamil; All money for Sanskrit,” he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi recently said that over 90,000 students in Karnataka had failed their board exams due to the “imposition of a language.”

The minister said that language learning should be a choice for students. “A third language should be an option, not a compulsion,” he said, highlighting the need for flexibility in education policies.