The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official
rupee (₹) symbol with a Tamil letter in its 2025-26 budget logo has triggered a
political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of indulging in regional chauvinism. The move
comes amid a broader dispute over the National Education Policy (NEP) and
allegations of Hindi imposition in the southern state.
The Change in the Rupee Symbol
The new budget logo features ‘ru,’ the first letter of the
Tamil word 'Rubaai' (which denotes Indian currency). Tamil Nadu Finance
Minister Thangam Thennarasu is set to present the state budget, with the new
logo symbolizing the DMK’s commitment to Tamil identity. The logo also carries
the caption "everything for all," reflecting the government's
inclusive governance model.
Political Reactions
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the
move, labeling it an act of “regional chauvinism” that could promote
“secessionist sentiments.” She questioned why the DMK had not protested in 2010
when the rupee (₹) symbol was officially adopted under the Congress-led UPA
government, where the DMK was an ally.
Adding to the debate, Sitharaman pointed out the irony that
the rupee symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, a Tamilian and son of former
DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam. "By erasing it now, the DMK is not only rejecting
a national symbol but also disregarding the creative contribution of a Tamil
youth," she posted on social media.
Strong BJP Response
Other BJP leaders, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, accused the DMK of playing divisive
politics. Rijiju emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done more
than any previous leader to promote Tamil culture and language and urged the
DMK not to “harm the nation by dividing people.”
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya called the move an
embarrassment for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, highlighting that the
rupee (₹) symbol was introduced when the Congress was in power, and the DMK was
governing Tamil Nadu.
DMK’s Justification
The DMK defended its decision, stating that it was promoting
the Tamil language and culture. The party has been vocal against what it
perceives as attempts by the Centre to impose Hindi through the NEP’s
three-language formula. The Tamil Nadu government has reiterated its commitment
to the two-language policy (Tamil and English), rejecting the Centre’s
directive.
The Three-Language Formula and NEP
The NEP 2020 proposes that students learn three languages,
at least two of which should be native to India. While Hindi is not explicitly
mandated, the Tamil Nadu government sees it as an indirect push for the
language. The DMK has framed its opposition as a fight against "Hindi
colonialism," drawing parallels with British colonial rule.
Udaya Kumar's Response
D. Udaya Kumar, the IIT Guwahati professor who designed the
rupee (₹) symbol, declined to be drawn into the controversy. He stated that it
was a mere coincidence that his father was a DMK MLA, distancing himself from
the political dispute.
Historical Significance of the Rupee Symbol
The Indian rupee symbol, adopted on July 15, 2010, is a
fusion of the Devanagari "Ra" and the Roman capital "R."
The two parallel horizontal stripes at the top represent the national flag and
the "equal to" sign, symbolizing economic stability.
Conclusion
The debate over the rupee symbol replacement reflects the
ongoing ideological clash between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over
language, identity, and governance. While the DMK sees this as a step towards
preserving Tamil heritage, the BJP and its allies view it as an unnecessary and
divisive act. As political tensions rise, the controversy underscores the
broader cultural and linguistic challenges in India's diverse federal
structure.