Tamil Nadu on Thursday announced the replacement of the traditional rupee symbol (₹) in promotional material for the upcoming 2025/26 state budget with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’. This change was spotlighted after Chief Minister MK Stalin shared the updated logo on X. The budget is scheduled to be presented on Friday morning.

The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the ruling DMK government and the BJP-led central government over perceived “Hindi imposition” through the National Education Policy’s three-language framework. The move has been perceived by some as an assertion of Tamil identity and regional pride.

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Why no protest in 2010?

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised the decision in a social media post stating that the decision highlights the “dangerous mindset” of Tamil Nadu’s chief minister that “weakens” Indian unity.

She questioned why the DMK had not objected to the adoption of the ‘₹’ symbol back in 2010 when it was introduced under the Congress-led UPA government, of which the DMK was a part. Sitharaman highlighted that the rupee symbol was designed by D Udaya Kumar, son of former DMK MLA N Dharmalingam.

She also emphasised the historical and linguistic significance of the term “Rupaai” (ரூபாய்), noting its Sanskrit origins and its longstanding presence in Tamil trade and literature. She further underscored that the ‘₹’ symbol is globally recognised and plays a crucial role in India’s international financial identity.

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Concerns over national unity 

Sitharaman raised concerns that removing the rupee symbol could undermine national unity and promote divisive sentiments under the guise of regional pride. She argued that at a time when India is advocating for cross-border UPI payments, undermining the national currency symbol could send the wrong message.

“In fact, several countries, including Indonesia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, officially use ‘Rupee’ or its ‘equivalent/derivatives’ as their currency name. Rupee symbol ‘₹’ is internationally well-recognized and serves as a visible identity of India in global financial transactions. At a time when India is pushing for cross-border payments using UPI, should we really be undermining our own national currency symbol?  All elected representatives and authorities are sworn under the Constitution to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. Removing a national symbol like ‘₹’ from the State Budget documents goes against that very oath, weakening the commitment to national unity. This is more than mere symbolism—it signals a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride. A completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism,” the Finance Minister’s post read on X.