The Tamil Nadu government has recently sparked controversy by replacing the Devanagari rupee symbol with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the logo for its 2025-26 budget. This change has drawn significant criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, who have accused the ruling DMK of engaging in regional chauvinism.
In response to inquiries about this decision, IIT Guwahati Professor D. Udaya Kumar, the designer of the Indian rupee symbol, stated that he does not wish to get involved in the ongoing debate surrounding the language issue. He emphasized that it is merely a coincidence that his father, N. Dharmalingam, was a DMK MLA in the past. “My father was an MLA long before I was born. He is now living peacefully in our village,” Kumar explained, adding that his father’s political affiliation has no bearing on his professional work.
The new logo, featuring ‘ரூ’ (the Tamil word for rupee), was unveiled ahead of the budget presentation scheduled for March 14, 2025. The tagline “Everything for All” in the Tamil Nadu budget logo signifies the DMK government’s focus on inclusive governance, aiming to ensure equitable growth and benefits for all sections of society. Kumar remarked that it is ultimately up to the Tamil Nadu government to decide on such changes, stating, “I don’t have much to say on this; it’s their choice.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments regarding terrorism have also come into play amid this controversy. In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Modi characterized Pakistan as a central hub for terrorism and urged it to abandon its reliance on state-sponsored terrorism. He expressed hope for a peaceful future for Pakistan and criticized its historical support for terrorist activities.
The decision to alter the rupee symbol has reignited discussions about language and identity in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin defending the move as a demonstration of commitment to promoting Tamil language and culture. He pointed out that even Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had previously used the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ instead of ‘Re’ in English contexts.
Critics, including Sitharaman and BJP leaders, have condemned the change as an affront to national unity and a rejection of a symbol created by a Tamilian that has been adopted nationwide. They argue that this move undermines the contributions of individuals like Kumar and signals a troubling trend toward regionalism over national identity.
As tensions continue to rise over this issue, it remains to be seen how the Tamil Nadu government will navigate these challenges while asserting its commitment to regional pride and cultural identity.
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