Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Tamil Nadu state anthem and Governor RN Ravi's comments, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad emphasised that the Governor's remarks on Hindi and Sanskrit were not politically motivated but genuinely aimed at promoting unity through language.
In a statement, Prasad reiterated that Tamil, one of the world’s oldest languages, should be celebrated and learned by all, as reported by IANS. However, he also advocated for the importance of learning Hindi as a national language and Sanskrit as India’s ancient language.
He said: "Tamil is one of the oldest languages globally, and our students should learn it. Simultaneously, Hindi, as a national language, and Sanskrit, India's ancient language, can inspire our youth."
He said that Governor Ravi has always respected and promoted the significance of the Tamil language and acknowledged its ancient heritage and excellence. "His views on Hindi and Sanskrit are not against Tamil but rather complementary to learning Tamil," Prasad said, as per the report. He added that learning multiple languages would enhance the state's development and inspire students across Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the political tensions, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for politicizing the issue. She highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to "uplift" Tamil across India, citing initiatives such as the Tamil Chair at Banaras Hindu University and the celebration of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. "The DMK is pretending to be the sole custodian of Tamil, but our honourable PM has truly taken Tamil pride to other states," she said.
The controversy started after a line was omitted from the Tamil state anthem at a recent government event in Chennai. The event was graced by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi.