NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu government, led by MK Stalin, on Thursday replaced the Rupee symbol “₹” with the Tamil script “ரூ” in the logo for the state’s 2025-26 budget. This move comes amid the ongoing language debate, with the BJP-led central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government once again at odds over the NEP’s three-language policy.
This move has further fuelled the language debate, with Tamil Nadu repeatedly accusing the Centre of trying to “impose Hindi” on southern states.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin strongly criticised the central government, arguing that the push for Hindi threatens the diversity of regional languages in North India.
He said, “More than 25 native languages in North India have disappeared due to the dominance of Hindi and Sanskrit. The century-old Dravidian movement protected Tamil and its culture through awareness and protests.”
Meanwhile, BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai criticized the DMK government’s decision, stating, “The DMK government’s state budget for 2025-26 has replaced the Rupee symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted nationwide as part of our currency. The creator of the symbol, Thiru Udhay Kumar, is the son of a former DMK MLA.”
He added, “How irrational can you be, Thiru MK Stalin?”
