TN Govt Replaces Rupee Symbol with Tamil Script in Budget Logo Amid Language Policy Dispute

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has replaced the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter for ‘Ru’ in the state budget logo, stirring fresh controversy amid its ongoing opposition to the three-language policy. This is possibly the first time a state has removed the national currency symbol from an official government document.

The new budget logo features ‘ru,’ the first letter of ‘Rubaai,’ the Tamil term for the rupee, alongside the slogan “Everything for All,” which reflects the ruling DMK’s proclaimed inclusive governance model. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is set to present the 2025-26 budget on Friday.

Political Reactions

The move has drawn intense criticism from the BJP, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai slamming the DMK for erasing a symbol designed by a Tamilian, D. Udhayakumar, who created the rupee symbol in 2010.

“The DMK government’s state budget replaces the rupee symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted nationwide. Udhay Kumar, the designer, is the son of a former DMK MLA. How foolish can you be, Thiru @mkstalin?”

Annamalai also posted an image of the 2024-25 Tamil Nadu budget logo, which still featured the rupee symbol, underscoring the shift.

A BJP spokesperson further told NDTV that the move “reflects the DMK’s attempt to appear different from India.” BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy added that the rupee symbol is a widely accepted representation of India’s currency, and replacing it in an official budget is “unnecessary and divisive.”

Context: Tamil Nadu’s Stand Against NEP 2020

The controversy over the budget logo comes amid Tamil Nadu’s staunch opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly the three-language formula. The state’s refusal to implement key aspects of the policy has led to the Centre withholding ₹573 crore in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds.

Under the PM SHRI scheme, states must sign an MoU agreeing to implement NEP 2020 to receive central funds for school education. Tamil Nadu has declined to do so, reinforcing its opposition to Hindi imposition and the three-language structure mandated by the policy.

While the Tamil Nadu government has not yet issued an official statement on the logo change, the move is seen as another instance of the DMK government asserting its strong Tamil identity in defiance of central policies.