NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu government, led by MK Stalin, on Thursday replaced the Rupee symbol “₹” with the Tamil script “ரூ” in the logo for the state’s 2025-26 budget. This move comes amid the ongoing language debate, with the BJP-led central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government once again at odds over the NEP’s three-language policy.
Tamil Nadu finance minister Thangam Thennarasu is set to present the 2025-26 budget on Friday.
The budget logo features “ரூ” (ru), the first letter of the Tamil word “Rubaai,” which represents the Indian currency in the Tamil language.
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It also includes the caption “Everything for All,” reflecting the ruling DMK’s emphasis on an inclusive model of governance.
This move has further fuelled the language debate, with Tamil Nadu repeatedly accusing the Centre of trying to “impose Hindi” on southern states.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin strongly criticised the central government, arguing that the push for Hindi threatens the diversity of regional languages in North India.
He said, “More than 25 native languages in North India have disappeared due to the dominance of Hindi and Sanskrit. The century-old Dravidian movement protected Tamil and its culture through awareness and protests.”
Meanwhile, BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai criticised the DMK government’s decision, stating, “The DMK government’s state budget for 2025-26 has replaced the Rupee symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted nationwide as part of our currency. The creator of the symbol, Thiru Udhay Kumar, is the son of a former DMK MLA.”
He added, “How irrational can you be, Thiru MK Stalin?”
BJP IT cell chief also slammed the decision, saying, “Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam is an Indian academic and designer, son of a former DMK MLA, who designed the Indian Rupee (₹) sign, which was accepted by Bharat. Chief minister MK Stalin is insulting Tamilians by dropping the ₹ sign from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 document. Just how ridiculous can one get?”
