Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Criticizes Tamil Nadu Government’s Replacement of Rupee Symbol​

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official rupee symbol ‘₹’ with a Tamil character in budget documents, calling it a threat to national unity.​

In recent developments, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has openly criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official rupee symbol ‘₹’ with a Tamil character in the state’s budget documents. She argues that this move not only undermines national unity but also promotes regional chauvinism.

Background of the Rupee Symbol

The Indian rupee symbol ‘₹’ was officially adopted in 2010 during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Designed by D. Udaya Kumar, a then IIT postgraduate and now a professor, the symbol uniquely combines the Devanagari letter ‘र’ (ra) and the Latin capital letter ‘R’ without its vertical bar, symbolizing the Indian ethos and international appeal. The adoption aimed to distinguish the Indian currency from other countries using the rupee or similar-sounding names, thereby enhancing its global identity.​

Tamil Nadu Government’s Decision

Ahead of presenting the state’s budget for 2025-26, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government released a new budget logo. This logo replaced the official rupee symbol ‘₹’ with ‘ரு’, the Tamil script representation for ‘rupee’. The logo also featured the caption “everything for all,” reflecting the state’s inclusive governance model. ​

Nirmala Sitharaman’s Critique

On March 13, 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to social media to express her concerns regarding this change. She presented a six-point argument criticizing the DMK government’s decision:​

1. Lack of Protest in 2010: Sitharaman questioned why the DMK, part of the ruling alliance in 2010, did not object to the adoption of the ‘₹’ symbol at that time. She implied that the current opposition appears inconsistent given their earlier acceptance.
2. Designer’s Background: Highlighting that the ‘₹’ symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, the son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam, she stated that rejecting the symbol disregards the creative contribution of a Tamil individual.
3. Historical Linguistic Roots: Sitharaman traced the Tamil word for rupee, ‘ரூபாய்’ (Rūpāi), to the Sanskrit ‘रूप्य’ (Rūpya), meaning wrought silver or a silver coin. She emphasized that this term has been integral to Tamil trade and literature for centuries.
4. Global Usage of ‘Rupee’: She noted that several countries, including Indonesia, Nepal, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, use ‘rupee’ or its derivatives as their currency name, underscoring its international recognition.
5. Undermining National Unity: Sitharaman argued that replacing the national currency symbol with a regional one signals a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the guise of regional pride.
6. Constitutional Oath: She reminded that all elected representatives swear an oath to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. Removing a national symbol from state documents, she asserted, goes against this oath and weakens the commitment to national unity.

Broader Language Debate

This controversy is part of a larger debate on language and regional identity in India. The DMK has been vocal against the alleged imposition of Hindi through the National Education Policy’s three-language formula. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has accused the central government of treating non-Hindi speaking states as second-class citizens. The rupee symbol change is viewed by some as an assertion of Tamil identity amid these ongoing disputes.

Implications for National Symbols

National symbols, like the rupee symbol, play a crucial role in unifying diverse cultures within a country. They serve as representations of collective identity and pride. Altering such symbols at regional levels can lead to fragmentation and set precedents for other states to follow suit, potentially challenging the cohesion of national identity.​

The debate over the rupee symbol in Tamil Nadu underscores the delicate balance between regional pride and national unity. While regional identities are vital and enrich the nation’s diversity, they must harmoniously coexist with national symbols that bind the country together. The discourse initiated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman invites a broader conversation on how India can celebrate its regional diversities without compromising on its unified national identity.