Tamil Nadu Changes Currency Symbol in State Budget Following Dispute with Central Government
Tamil Nadu Government Replaces Rupee Symbol with Tamil Letter ‘Ru’ in Budget
In a bold move, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to replace the rupee symbol (Re) with a Tamil letter (Ru) in promotional material for the upcoming 2025/26 state budget. This decision was made public just a day before the budget presentation, stirring up a debate between the ruling DMK and the BJP-led centre.
Political Implications of Symbol Swap
The decision to swap out the currency symbol comes at a time when the ruling DMK is locked in a battle with the BJP-led centre over ‘Hindi imposition’ through the new National Education Policy. The move to replace the rupee symbol with a Tamil letter is seen as a symbolic gesture to prioritize the Tamil language by the Tamil Nadu government.
While there has been no formal announcement from the Tamil Nadu government regarding this change, DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai defended the decision, stating that it is not illegal and that the government’s focus is on promoting Tamil.
BJP’s Reaction and Criticism
On the other hand, the BJP has criticized the decision, with state unit chief K Annamalai calling Chief Minister MK Stalin "stupid" for replacing a symbol designed by a Tamilian and adopted by the entire country. The BJP sees this move as an attempt by the DMK to undermine national unity and promote regionalism.
Former Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan also joined in the criticism, stating that the symbol swap goes against the Constitution and accusing the DMK of working against the national interest. She challenged MK Stalin to change his name to a Tamil alternative to match the symbol change.
Election Context and Language War
The symbol swap comes at a crucial time as Tamil Nadu prepares for an election next year, with the DMK and AIADMK gearing up for a fierce battle. The BJP, which has struggled to establish a political foothold in Tamil Nadu, is also closely watching the developments.
The broader context of the symbol swap is the ongoing ‘language war’ between the DMK and the BJP over the National Education Policy’s three-language formula. The Tamil Nadu government has objected to the policy, citing the state’s successful two-language policy of teaching Tamil and English.
Stalin vs Amit Shah in Language Row
Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have engaged in a war of words over the issue of ‘Hindi imposition’. While Shah claimed that the centre has done more for Tamil speakers, Stalin warned against Hindi colonialism and criticized the NEP as a policy that would harm the Tamil Nadu education system.
The exchange between the DMK and BJP leaders highlights the deep-rooted linguistic and cultural tensions in the region, with both sides standing firm on their positions.
Overall, the symbol swap in the state budget reflects the larger political and cultural landscape in Tamil Nadu, where language and identity are deeply intertwined with politics and governance.