In a bold move that has escalated the ongoing language debate between the Tamil Nadu state government and the central authorities, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has replaced the official rupee symbol with the Tamil letter “ru” in the state budget 2025-26 logo. This marks a clear departure from the earlier practice, where the rupee symbol was used in the state’s budget logos for 2023 and 2024.
The use of the Tamil letter “ru,” representing the word “rubai” (meaning “rupees” in Tamil), reflects Stalin’s continued stance on promoting the Tamil language and opposing the controversial three-language formula proposed by the central government. The three-language formula, which mandates the learning of Hindi alongside English and the regional language in schools, has faced strong resistance from Tamil Nadu’s political leaders who view it as an imposition on their regional identity and linguistic heritage.
Stalin shared a preview of the upcoming budget on the social media platform X, highlighting the focus of the 2025-26 budget on widespread development across Tamil Nadu. In his tweet, he emphasized that the budget was designed to benefit all sections of society, further solidifying his commitment to ensuring that Tamil remains the focal point of governance in the state.
This decision has sparked a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. BJP leaders, including Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai, have sharply criticized Stalin’s move, with Annamalai calling it “stupid” and accusing the chief minister of playing divisive politics. However, supporters of Stalin argue that the move is a bold stand for Tamil culture and linguistic pride, marking the state’s commitment to safeguarding its language.
The replacement of the rupee symbol with the Tamil “ru” also highlights the growing tension between Tamil Nadu’s state government and the Centre over linguistic and cultural issues. While Tamil Nadu has consistently advocated for the protection of its language and culture, the central government’s push for a uniform national policy on languages has resulted in a growing divide on the issue.
As the state gears up for the official presentation of the 2025-26 budget on March 14, the controversy over the replacement of the rupee symbol has set the stage for what is likely to be a heated political discourse in the coming days. The decision has not only fueled the ongoing language debate but also raised questions about the future of regional autonomy in India’s federal structure.
