The Tamil Nadu government has replaced the traditional rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the promotional material for the 2025-26 state budget. This change, highlighted by Chief Minister MK Stalin on X, comes amid ongoing tensions with the central government over perceived ‘Hindi imposition’ through the National Education Policy’s three-language framework.
Political reactions
The decision has sparked sharp criticism, especially from opposition parties. Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai condemned the move, labelling it “laughable” and accusing the DMK of diverting attention from pressing issues such as corruption allegations within TASMAC. He pointed out that the original rupee symbol was designed by Udaya Kumar, a Tamilian and son of a former DMK MLA, and appreciated by then CM Karunanidhi.
Similarly, BJP leader CR Kesavan called the move an “absurd drama,” claiming it insulted Tamil pride and highlighted DMK’s alleged failures in governance. AIADMK’s Kovai Sathyan echoed this sentiment, dismissing the move as a “deliberate drama” to cover up governance shortcomings and corruption.
Congress MLA PM Narendraswamy and Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre viewed the symbol change as an expression of frustration over the central government’s approach to southern states. They urged for immediate steps to bridge the growing divide and promote inclusivity.
Meanwhile, CPI leader D Raja stated that the Tamil Nadu government has introduced several initiatives aimed at educating and engaging all sections of society. He emphasised that the state budget is presented in Tamil, specifically catering to the people of Tamil Nadu. Raja clarified that while the currency symbol has been changed, the numerical figures in the budget remain unchanged. He further asserted that this alteration is not in violation of the Constitution.
DMK’s standpoint
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai defended the decision, portraying it as a protest against the Union government’s policies. CPI leader D Raja emphasised that the budget remains in Tamil for the benefit of Tamil Nadu residents and clarified that the move does not violate the Constitution.
Legal and national perspectives
Senior advocate Pinky Anand highlighted the significance of the rupee symbol, which was adopted after extensive research and stakeholder consultation, including contributions from the Tamil community. She warned against undermining national symbols protected by law.