DMK vs. Centre: Rupee Symbol Controversy Takes Political Centre Stage
Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has ignited a fresh political storm by replacing the official rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in promotional material for the state budget, set to be presented on Friday. The move, seen as a pushback against what the party calls “Hindi imposition” by the Centre, has triggered sharp reactions across the political spectrum.
Among the most vocal critics was Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who accused the DMK of fostering secessionist sentiments under the guise of regional pride. She termed it “a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity” and slammed it as “language and regional chauvinism” that could have been avoided.
Nirmala Sitharaman’s Sharp Criticism
In a strongly worded statement on X, Sitharaman questioned the DMK’s intent behind this decision, stating:
"All elected representatives and authorities are sworn under the Constitution to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. Removing a national symbol like '₹' from the State Budget documents goes against that very oath, weakening the commitment to national unity."
She further pointed out that the rupee symbol is internationally recognized and plays a key role in India's financial identity, especially when the country is promoting cross-border UPI transactions.
"At a time when India is pushing for cross-border payments using UPI, should we really be undermining our own national currency symbol?" she asked.
Additionally, Sitharaman raised a key question for the DMK:
"If the DMK has a problem with '₹', why didn’t it protest back in 2010 when it was officially adopted under the UPA government, of which DMK was a part?"
BJP Slams DMK, Calls Move ‘Stupid’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also come down hard on the DMK. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai mocked the party’s decision, calling it “stupid” and pointing out the irony that the rupee symbol was designed by a Tamil youth—D Udaya Kumar, the son of a former DMK MLA.
Former Telangana Governor and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also hit out at the DMK, alleging that the decision violates the Constitution. She went so far as to challenge Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, saying:
"If you are so committed to Tamil, why don’t you change your own name to a Tamil alternative?"
DMK’s Stand: “This Is About Tamil Pride”
DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai, defending the decision, maintained that there was nothing illegal about using ‘Ru’ instead of ₹ in state documents.
"We prioritise Tamil, that is why the government went ahead with this. This is not a showdown but an assertion of our love for the Tamil language," he said.
The DMK has been aggressively pushing back against the three-language policy proposed by the Centre, arguing that it is an attempt to enforce Hindi dominance over Tamil Nadu.
A Larger Political Battle in an Election Year
With general elections approaching, the DMK has intensified its confrontations with the BJP-led Central government, taking issue with two major policies:
- The three-language formula – The Centre insists Tamil Nadu should implement it, while the DMK argues that it is a veiled attempt to impose Hindi on the state.
- Delimitation concerns – The DMK claims the Centre’s delimitation exercise is designed to reduce political representation of South Indian states in Parliament, benefiting the Hindi-speaking North.
On the latter, the BJP has attempted to allay fears. Union Minister Amit Shah has assured that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, South India will not lose even a single parliamentary seat due to delimitation.
Conclusion: A Political Flashpoint Over Language & Identity
The rupee symbol controversy has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing DMK-BJP battle over language, culture, and federalism. While the DMK argues that it is asserting Tamil identity, critics—especially from the BJP—believe the move undermines national unity and is a politically motivated stunt.
With elections nearing, this debate is likely to further polarize Tamil Nadu’s political discourse, reinforcing the DMK’s positioning as a regional force resisting Central dominance.
What’s your take on this issue? Should state governments have the right to alter national symbols in official documents? Let us know in the comments!
