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Why is the theory that Dravidian is related to Ural-Altaic languages unproven?

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Thematic map of South Asia showing the distribution of Dravidian languages, with different regions shaded or marked to indicate where specific Dravidian languages and subgroups are spoken. Most languages are concentrated in southern and central India, with some northern outliers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and eastern India. A key identifies the languages by number and subgroup, and striped areas indicate regions where several subgroups overlap. — Dravidian languages Distribution of Dravidian languages.

The theory that Dravidian languages are genetically related to Ural-Altaic languages remains unproven because it fails to meet the rigorous standards of comparative linguistics.1

To establish a genetic relationship, linguists must demonstrate systematic correspondences in sound systems and grammar with a reasonable frequency. This theory is considered unproven for several reasons:1

Insufficient Data: The comparative method requires extensive data to reconstruct ancestral links. When time gaps span millennia and intermediate languages have gone extinct, it becomes difficult to establish these systematic connections.1
Structural vs. Genetic Similarities: Many of the similarities cited between these groups—such as vowel harmony, subject-object-verb word order, and the use of suffixes—are structural features. These types of traits often arise through language contact rather than shared ancestry and are not considered a valid basis for proving a genetic relationship.2
Lack of Demonstrable Evidence: While various studies have proposed such links over the past two centuries, most scholars find that the evidence provided is not sufficiently demonstrated to confirm a common origin.1