Paromita Das
New Delhi: Tamil Nadu has long been at the forefront of asserting its linguistic and cultural identity, often in defiance of policies it perceives as threats to its autonomy. The latest controversy surrounding the removal of the Bharatiya Rupee symbol (₹) from the state budget logo and its replacement with the Tamil alphabet ‘Ru’ has reignited debates about regionalism, nationalism, and the role of language in governance.
Critics, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have called this a deliberate move by the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government to undermine national unity, while supporters argue that it is a rightful assertion of Tamil pride. The debate has unfolded against the backdrop of Tamil Nadu’s historical opposition to the imposition of Hindi and the state’s ongoing conflict with the central government over linguistic policies.
The Controversy: Replacing ₹ with ‘Ru’
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently unveiled the 2025-26 state budget logo, which conspicuously replaced the ₹ symbol with the Tamil alphabet ‘Ru’. The decision was met with immediate backlash, with BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan criticizing the move as a planned act of disrespect towards a national symbol.
“Yesterday, the CM posted the removal of the Rupee symbol. He was very specific about using the Tamil symbol. Of course, we are using the Tamil symbol, but he intentionally, in a planned way, is ignoring or disrespecting the national symbol. That is our concern,” she said.
The controversy deepened when BJP Tamil Nadu Chief K Annamalai pointed out the irony behind the move. The original Rupee symbol (₹) was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, a Tamilian and the son of a former DMK MLA. Annamalai questioned why the DMK government would choose to discard a Tamil-origin national symbol, calling the decision misguided and unnecessary.
A Legacy of Tamil Nadu’s Resistance to Central Influence
To fully understand the significance of this controversy, one must look at Tamil Nadu’s history of opposing central policies that it views as impositions on its autonomy.
The state has long been a stronghold of anti-Hindi sentiments, which date back to the Dravidian movement of the early 20th century. Tamil Nadu was at the forefront of the anti-Hindi agitations of 1965, which erupted in response to the central government’s attempt to make Hindi Bharat’s sole official language. The protests turned violent, leading to deaths, widespread unrest, and ultimately forcing the Bharatiya government to amend its stance and allow English to continue as an official language alongside Hindi.
This fierce opposition to Hindi imposition has remained a defining feature of Tamil Nadu’s politics, influencing its education policies, government functioning, and linguistic preferences. The DMK and AIADMK, the two major Dravidian parties, have historically resisted any move that appears to threaten Tamil linguistic and cultural identity.
The Three-Language Formula and the NEP Dispute
The controversy over the Rupee symbol has also been fueled by Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The NEP recommends that schools teach three languages, with an emphasis on Hindi, English, and a regional language. Tamil Nadu, however, has staunchly rejected this policy, fearing that it is a veiled attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.
CM Stalin has vocally opposed the NEP, arguing that it undermines Tamil Nadu’s autonomy and linguistic diversity. The state has continued to adhere to its two-language policy (Tamil and English), refusing to introduce Hindi into the curriculum in government schools.
The removal of the Rupee symbol in favor of ‘Ru’ could thus be seen as an extension of this ideological battle—a symbolic rejection of what the DMK sees as central impositions in favor of Tamil identity.
A Political Move or Genuine Cultural Assertion?
The DMK government has defended its decision, stating that the use of the Tamil ‘Ru’ is a reflection of Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage and linguistic pride. Supporters argue that this is not about rejecting the Bharatiya Rupee symbol but about promoting Tamil language and script in state affairs.
However, critics, particularly from the BJP and its allies, see this as a calculated move to stir regional sentiments ahead of the 2024 elections. They argue that replacing a national symbol with a regional one is a dangerous precedent that could fuel further divisions between states and the Centre.
BJP leaders have accused the DMK of intentionally stoking linguistic and regional pride to consolidate its voter base, particularly among those who resent the central government’s policies on language and education.
Can Regional Identity and National Unity Coexist?
The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the Rupee symbol is a classic example of the tension between regional identity and national unity. On one hand, Bharat is a diverse country where states have the right to promote their languages and cultures. Tamil Nadu’s emphasis on Tamil pride and linguistic heritage is deeply rooted in its history and cannot be dismissed as mere political posturing.
On the other hand, symbols play a crucial role in national unity. The Rupee symbol (₹) is not just a monetary sign but a representation of Bharat’s economic sovereignty and collective identity. When a state replaces such a widely accepted national emblem with a regional alternative, it raises concerns about unity, precedent, and the risk of further regional divisions.
The bigger question is whether Bharat can embrace regional pride while maintaining national coherence. Can Tamil Nadu assert its linguistic identity without rejecting national symbols that bind the country together? The fine balance between federalism and nationalism is a constant negotiation in a country as diverse as Bharat.
Conclusion: A Controversy That Won’t Fade Soon
The replacement of the Rupee symbol with ‘Ru’ in the Tamil Nadu budget logo is far more than a graphic design choice—it is a statement of defiance, a symbol of Tamil assertion, and a continuation of Tamil Nadu’s long-standing resistance to perceived central impositions.
While supporters of the move celebrate it as a tribute to Tamil heritage, opponents argue that it is an unnecessary and divisive political stunt aimed at provoking the central government and asserting Tamil Nadu’s regionalism over national unity.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether this is an isolated incident or the beginning of a larger movement toward regional identity politics in Tamil Nadu and beyond. What is clear, however, is that the DMK government is once again positioning itself as a champion of Tamil autonomy, setting the stage for yet another ideological battle with the Centre.
The post Tamil Nadu’s Symbolic Assertion: Replacing the Rupee Symbol and the Politics of Identity appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
