Stalin Defends Replacement of Rupee Symbol with Tamil 'Ru' Letter

Chennai, March 16 (NationPress) Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu has staunchly defended the state government’s choice to substitute the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter 'Ru' (derived from 'Rubaai', which translates to rupee) in the logo of the state budget.

He contended that the opposition to the Tamil language had exaggerated the matter. While responding to questions from the media, Stalin emphasized that this decision represents Tamil Nadu’s dedication to its language policy.

He noted that even Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had previously utilized the Tamil letter 'Ru' in lieu of 'Re' in English contexts. “Interestingly, Nirmala Sitharaman herself has used the Tamil letter instead of ‘Re’ in English,” he commented.

The choice to eliminate the rupee symbol from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 logo, unveiled on March 14, has ignited considerable backlash from opposition factions, including the BJP and AIADMK.

Critics have accused the ruling DMK of pursuing regional politics at the expense of national cohesion. Taking to social media, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman vehemently criticized the decision, labeling it “a completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism.” She asserted that the removal of the rupee symbol indicated “a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretext of regional pride.”

Sitharaman also reminded elected officials of their constitutional responsibility to uphold national sovereignty, arguing that the DMK’s action contradicts this obligation.

She pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that the rupee symbol was created by D. Udaya Kumar, who is the son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam.

“By erasing it now, the DMK is not only rejecting a national symbol but also utterly disregarding the creative contribution of a Tamil youth,” Sitharaman remarked.

BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya criticized Stalin, highlighting that the rupee symbol was developed in Devanagari script by D. Udaya Kumar.

Malviya echoed similar sentiments on social media, stating, “Chief Minister Stalin is insulting Tamilians by dropping the ₹ sign from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 document.”

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), also denounced the action, calling it a “publicity stunt” intended to divert focus from administrative shortcomings. He accused Stalin of engaging in “empty advertisement campaigns” rather than addressing the genuine needs of the populace.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai joined the chorus of criticism, questioning why Stalin opted for the Tamil letter 'Ru' instead of the rupee symbol. “The DMK government has replaced the rupee symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted by the entire nation. How foolish can you become, Thiru @mkstalin?” Annamalai posted online.

The Tamil Nadu government has reiterated that the budget logo is intended to reflect the state’s linguistic identity. The logo also includes the caption “Everything for All,” which the DMK claims embodies its inclusive governance model.

Stalin further noted that many individuals continue to use 'Rs' instead of 'Re' in English documents without issue. He criticized the Union government for focusing solely on the rupee symbol controversy while neglecting Tamil Nadu’s requests for disaster relief, educational funding, and job creation initiatives.

This controversy arises amid a protracted dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre regarding language policies.

The DMK has frequently accused the Union government of enforcing Hindi, and the removal of the rupee symbol is perceived as part of this broader resistance. This marks the first instance of a state rejecting the national currency symbol, intensifying the dialogue over regional identity versus national unity.