Stalin doubles down on language politics ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, replacing the rupee symbol with a Tamil version in the budget document—sparking a debate on language dominance and Centre-State relations
On Thursday, Tamil Nadu underwent a significant cultural transformation by replacing the official rupee symbol (`) with a Tamil letter in its budget document. Pronounced ‘roo,’ this letter represents the Indian currency in the Tamil language and embodies the region’s rich cultural heritage. Chief Minister MK Stalin’s decision to change the symbol could have broader implications for global influence. The rupee is one of India’s most important symbols of sovereignty. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled for next year, and some believe that the DMK wants to make this an election issue.In a bold and decisive move against the National Education Policy (NEP), the Tamil Nadu government replaced the official rupee symbol with a Tamil character in the state’s 2025 Budget. Chief Minister Stalin’s announcement that this Tamil symbol will be used in the State’s Budget logo for 2025-26 highlights the significance of this decision.
The ruling DMK has been in conflict with the central government on various issues, including language policies.In a recent post on X, Stalin shared a teaser video of the new logo. The post stated, “To ensure the widespread development of Tamil Nadu and benefit all sections of society,” along with the hashtags #DravidianModel and #TNBudget2025. The logo also included the phrase “Everything for all,” reflecting the DMK’s commitment to inclusive governance. The government released a logo featuring ‘roo,’ the first letter of the Tamil word ‘Rubaai,’ meaning currency. The logo carries the caption “Everything for All,” symbolising the government’s commitment to inclusivity and fostering a sense of unity among its diverse population. The disagreement over the three-language formula under the NEP has further escalated tensions.
This new controversy adds fuel to the ongoing political friction between Tamil Nadu and the central government, particularly over language policies. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the Centre’s three-language formula, insisting on continuing its two-language policy. The DMK has stated that Tamil Nadu will not accept “Hindi colonialism” as a substitute for British colonial rule.
Meanwhile, the Union government accuses the state government of being “dishonest” and jeopardising students’ futures for political gain.By replacing the rupee symbol with a Tamil letter in its budget document, the Tamil Nadu government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Tamil culture. In contrast, the BJP-led central government promotes the use of Hindi as a third language across India. Tamil Nadu, however, advocates for linguistic diversity and encourages pride in its cultural identity. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly criticized the DMK, arguing that the party should have protested when the UPA government adopted the rupee symbol in 2010. At the time, the DMK was part of the ruling UPA alliance at the Centre.Tamil Nadu has now become the first state to reject the national currency symbol after 14 years, reinforcing its ongoing resistance to the NEP. The rupee symbol (`) was designed by Udaya Kumar, the son of a former DMK MLA, who currently serves as a professor at IIT. Before 2010, the Indian Rupee was represented internationally using abbreviations like “Rs” or “INR,” sometimes leading to confusion with the Pakistani and Sri Lankan rupees.
In 2009, the Ministry of Finance organized a contest to create a new rupee symbol, inviting designers, artists, and the public to submit ideas. The objective was to develop a symbol that showcased India’s economic strength and cultural heritage.
The final rupee symbol (`), designed by Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, merges the Devanagari letter with the Roman letter ‘R,’ giving it a unique Indian identity while ensuring global recognition. However, the Tamil Nadu government does not endorse this symbol, as it values its language and opposes a design based on the Devanagari script. When the proposal was introduced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, BJP and AIADMK members protested against the symbol change.
This highlights the ongoing political tensions between the BJP-led central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. The historical conflict between Aryan and Dravidian identities remains a significant issue in Tamil Nadu. The state strongly defends the Tamil language and is the only one to reject the national rupee symbol. This decision could have significant implications for its economy and relations with the central government and other states. Chief Minister Stalin aims to maintain a strong stance on the language issue. Meanwhile, the Indian Rupee continues to grow in importance in the global economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognizes it as a potential international currency, alongside China’s Renminbi (RMB). Many countries now accept the rupee for payments, and India has established trade agreements using the rupee for transactions. At the core of the dispute is whether Tamil Nadu should adopt a two- or three-language formula. The primary concern is that requiring students to learn a third language may be an additional burden and could lead to the dominance of Hindi across India.
The Centre and the State should engage in discussions to find a mutually acceptable solution.
(The writer is a popular columnist. Views expressed are personal)
