Tamil can't teach me what Christianity did: Row over remark by Vijay's Minister
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson sparked a political row as he asserted that studying Tamil could not teach what Christianity had taught him
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson sparked a political row as he asserted that studying Tamil could not teach what Christianity had taught him. Wilson made the remarks in the Assembly while responding to criticism over his Tamil language skills during his Budget speech. The controversy erupted after MDMK MLA TM Rajendran criticised the speech, alleging that it contained grammatical errors in Tamil and that the Finance Minister had switched to English. Rajendran said Wilson should, at least in future, speak "impeccable Tamil" when given the opportunity. Read Full Story Responding sharply, Wilson said Christianity had taught him "the language of love, the language of peace, the language of compassion" and added that "no matter how much Tamil was studied, some people would not understand these values".
"I have read it in the Bible. I am a born Christian," Wilson added. In a heated response, the Finance Minister said his priority was governance and the progress of Tamil Nadu rather than linguistic formalities. He alleged that members were mocking his communication style and background instead of focusing on his work. Wilson further said the criticism had extended to his appearance, caste and gender before eventually turning to the language he used. Wilson also said he could not change his unique way of speaking merely to satisfy his critics. The remarks drew a sharp response from the BJP, with Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran accusing Wilson of undermining the Tamil language while speaking about his personal faith. Nagendran demanded a public apology and questioned whether it was appropriate to compare the “personality” of Tamil with a religion.
Nagendran said Wilson could have confined his remarks to his personal experience by saying that his religion had taught him a great deal. However, he said the minister crossed a line by claiming that what Christianity had taught him could not be learned “no matter how much Tamil one studies”. “You may belong to any religion by birth, but you must understand that by sentiment, we are all Tamils. Even your party leader pointed this out in today's Assembly, didn't he? That being the case, there's nothing wrong with you holding up your religion high. But we can never accept you lowering the Tamil language,” Nagendran said in a post on X. Wilson BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam also criticised Wilson’s remarks in an interaction with India Today TV.
Selvam alleged that the TVK was "a Christian party run by a Christian chief minister" and claimed that the party was attempting to gradually bring its religious beliefs and system into Tamil Nadu’s culture. He also questioned Chief Minister Vijay’s silence over statements by TVK MLAs, leaders and ministers that he alleged were propagating religion in the Assembly. Recently, a video of the Finance Minister drawing a cross before presenting the Budget had earlier gone viral in Tamil Nadu, adding to the political debate surrounding his faith. Ends
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