Chennai: In a bold political move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has replaced the official Rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘ரூ’ in the 2025-26 state budget logo, intensifying the ongoing language dispute with the BJP-led Central government.

The Tamil letter ‘ரூ’, derived from ‘ரூபாய்’ (Tamil for rupee), was prominently featured in the state budget teaser, which Stalin shared on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of its presentation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on March 14.

“To ensure the widespread development of Tamil Nadu to benefit all sections of society...” Stalin wrote, alongside the hashtags #DravidianModel and #TNBudget2025.

Notably, the official Rupee symbol (₹), which was derived from the Hindi letter for ‘R’, was omitted for the first time in the state budget’s branding. In the previous two Tamil Nadu budgets, the ₹ symbol was included in the official logo.

Why Is This Controversial?

This symbolic rejection of the Rupee sign is being seen as an escalation of Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the Centre’s National Education Policy (NEP) and alleged Hindi imposition.

Tamil Nadu has been at loggerheads with the Union Government over:
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its three-language formula that promotes Hindi learning.
The Centre withholding ₹573 crore in education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) due to the state’s non-compliance with NEP guidelines.

The Politics Behind the Symbol Change

Tamil Nadu has long opposed the Hindi-centric policies of the Central Government. The Dravidian movement, led by parties like the DMK, has historically advocated for Tamil linguistic identity and regional autonomy.

Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement NEP 2020 has resulted in a funding cut of ₹573 crore from the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), which provides central assistance for school education. Under SSA funding rules, states must comply with NEP to receive financial aid, with the Centre covering 60% of the allocation for states like Tamil Nadu.

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government claims that NEP is an attempt to impose Hindi learning on the Tamil-speaking population, arguing that it undermines Tamil identity and favors northern states.

Replacing the ₹ symbol with Tamil ‘ரூ’ is being viewed as a direct challenge to the Centre’s policies, signaling Tamil Nadu’s assertion of linguistic autonomy.

Centre’s Reaction: BJP Calls It a "Political Stunt"

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEP as a political move by the DMK to "revive its declining political relevance".

"Opposition to NEP 2020 has nothing to do with the preservation of Tamil pride, language, and culture," Pradhan said in a statement.

He also denied claims of Hindi imposition, arguing that NEP promotes multilingual learning and regional languages, and accused the DMK of using language politics to divert attention from governance issues.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP leaders have also criticized the Stalin government, accusing it of "isolating the state from national identity" for political mileage.

What This Means for Tamil Nadu’s Future

This move could have wide-reaching political and financial consequences for Tamil Nadu:

Economic Impact: The state risks further funding cuts if it continues to defy central policies. This could affect education, infrastructure, and welfare programs that rely on central assistance.

Legal & Constitutional Debate: Experts argue that a state government rejecting a national currency symbol could spark legal challenges, as currency matters fall under the Union Government’s jurisdiction.

Political Implications: With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, the DMK is positioning itself as the defender of Tamil identity, potentially rallying regional support against the BJP.

The Bigger Picture: Is This About Language or Politics?

While Stalin’s move is being framed as linguistic pride, critics argue that it is a political strategy to polarize voters ahead of elections.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of resisting Hindi imposition, dating back to the Anti-Hindi Agitations of 1937 and 1965. However, opponents believe that replacing a national currency symbol with a regional alternative is an extreme step that could set a precedent for further regional divisions.

Global Perspective: How Important is the ₹ Symbol?

The ₹ symbol is globally recognized, representing India in international trade and finance.
The rupee is used in several countries, including Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Indonesia.
Removing the ₹ symbol from official government documents could create confusion in financial transactions and weaken India’s global financial identity.

“At a time when India is pushing for cross-border payments using UPI, should we really be undermining our own national currency symbol?” Sitharaman asked earlier this week in response to the move.

What Next? Will the Centre Take Action?

With the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 set to be presented on March 14, political experts are watching to see if:
The Centre officially objects to the removal of the ₹ symbol.
The Supreme Court or RBI intervenes to uphold the use of the national currency symbol.
Other regional parties in states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka follow Tamil Nadu’s lead.

This symbolic move could escalate into a larger constitutional battle over state autonomy versus national unity.

Why did Tamil Nadu remove the ₹ symbol from its budget logo?

Tamil Nadu replaced the ₹ symbol with ‘ரூ’ (Tamil for rupee) as a statement against the Centre’s Hindi-centric policies and NEP 2020.

Has any other state done this before?

No. This is the first time a state has officially removed the national currency symbol from an official government document.

What is the National Education Policy (NEP) dispute about?

Tamil Nadu opposes the three-language formula in NEP 2020, arguing that it imposes Hindi learning on Tamil students. This has led to a ₹573 crore funding cut from the Centre’s education scheme.

Can the Centre take action against Tamil Nadu for this move?

Possibly. Since currency is a Union subject, the Centre or the RBI could challenge the state’s decision. However, legal options remain unclear.

How does this affect common people in Tamil Nadu?

If tensions escalate, the state may face funding cuts, affecting education, development projects, and welfare programs.

A Symbolic Act with Real Consequences

While Stalin’s move is politically charged, it raises serious questions about regional identity, national unity, and federalism. Whether this is a bold assertion of Tamil pride or a calculated political stunt, one thing is certain: this controversy is far from over.