Stalin defends decision to replace rupee symbol with Tamil letter ‘Ru’

CHENNAI, March 16: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has defended his government’s decision to replace the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ (from ‘Rubaai’, meaning rupee) in the state budget logo.
He argued that those opposed to the Tamil language had blown the issue out of proportion.
Responding to media questions, Stalin asserted that the move was a reflection of Tamil Nadu’s commitment to its language policy.
He pointed out that even Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had previously used the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in place of ‘Re’ in English. “Interestingly, Nirmala Sitharaman herself has used the Tamil letter instead of ‘Re’ in English,” he remarked.
The decision to remove the rupee symbol from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 logo, has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties, including the BJP and AIADMK.
Critics have accused the ruling DMK of engaging in regional politics at the cost of national unity. Taking to social media, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly condemned the decision, calling it “a completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism.”
She argued that removing the rupee symbol signalled “a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride.”
She also highlighted the irony behind the decision, pointing out that the rupee symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, the son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam. (IANS)