Tamil Nadu Replaces Rupee Symbol with Tamil ‘Ru’ in Budget 2025 Amid NEP Row
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has replaced the official rupee symbol (₹) with a Tamil letter for ‘Ru’ in its 2025 state Budget, escalating its opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP). This marks the first instance of a state rejecting the national currency symbol.
The decision reflects Tamil Nadu’s ongoing resistance to the NEP, particularly its three-language formula, which the state views as an imposition of Hindi. The Tamil ‘Ru’ symbol now features prominently in the Budget 2025 documents. This step underscores the DMK-led government’s commitment to prioritizing Tamil language and identity.
DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai clarified the move to CNN News 18, saying, “We have put the Tamil word for Rupees. This is not a showdown, there is nothing illegal about it.” He emphasized that promoting Tamil remains a key focus for the state. “Tamil Nadu is performing well in education—people are migrating to the US and UK, not North India,” he added.
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Tamilisai Soundararajan, a BJP leader, criticized the decision as a political tactic. “They are using this only for their politics. I am not against using the Tamil word,” she told CNN News 18. She questioned the DMK’s consistency, asking, “Why are they not making their children study in government schools?”
This is the first time a state has opted out of using the national rupee symbol in official documents. The move aligns with Tamil Nadu’s broader pushback against central policies perceived as undermining its linguistic autonomy. The NEP’s language policy has been a contentious issue, sparking debates across the state.
The replacement has ignited a fresh political row, with potential implications for Tamil Nadu’s ties with the central government. Observers expect further discussions as the state continues to assert its stance on education and language policies. Updates on reactions from the Centre and other states are awaited.
