Tamil Nadu Replaces Rupee Symbol with Tamil Letter

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has replaced the official rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘று’. This letter comes from rubai, meaning rupees in Tamil. This change was made in the state budget 2025-26 logo, triggering a fresh language controversy. This is the first time a state has dropped the national currency symbol. It further intensifies Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the central government’s policies. These policies include the three-language formula and the National Education Policy (NEP).

Stalin shared a teaser for the budget on social media, emphasizing the “Dravidian Model” of governance. The move is seen as part of DMK’s broader push to promote Tamil identity. However, political opponents have slammed the decision, accusing the government of unnecessary provocation.

BJP Reacts

BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai sharply criticized Stalin. He pointed out that the rupee symbol was designed by Udhay Kumar. Udhay Kumar is a Tamilian and the son of a former DMK MLA. “How stupid can you become, Mr. Stalin?” he wrote, accusing the DMK of making Tamilians a “laughingstock.” AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan also denounced the decision. He stated that the Chief Minister should not misuse state rights for political gain.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya called the move an insult to Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that the rupee symbol was widely accepted across India, including in Tamil Nadu. DMK spokesperson A Saravanan defended the change. He asserted that it was not a rejection of the national symbol. Instead, it was an effort to promote Tamil language and culture.

The state budget is set to be presented on March 14. The controversy has sparked a heated debate on language, identity, and federalism. This has further fueled tensions between Tamil Nadu and the central government.