ckbetTamil Nadu Government Replaces Rupee Symbol Ahead Of Budget Session| Photo: Tamil Nadu DIPR Tamil Nadu Government Replaces Rupee Symbol Ahead Of Budget Session| Photo: Tamil Nadu DIPR

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has replaced the rupee symbol with a Tamil language symbol representing the same. This development comes ahead of the state budget presentation on Saturday.

This change in the rupee symbol comes amid Tamil Nadu's row with the Central government over NEP 2020 three language requirement and the delimitation row. In the last two budgets, the state was used the ₹ symbol.

பொதுமக்களின் கவனத்திற்கு@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin @Udhaystalin@mp_saminathan @KN_NEHRU#TNDIPR #TNMediahub #CMMKStalin #DyCMUdhay #TNGovt #PeoplesGovt #TNGovtSchemes #CMOTamilnadu #peoplecm #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/NZlqvO28xA

— TN DIPR (@TNDIPRNEWS) March 13, 2025

The state budget will be presented on Saturday - March 14. Announcing the change of symbol, Chief Minister MK Stalinstated that budget for 2025-56 will "ensure the widespread development of Tamil Nadu to benefit all sections of society."

Sitharaman, Annamalai Oppose Move

Lashing out at CM MK Stalin, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the decision to replace the rupee symbol signalled a "dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promoted secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride".

She said removing the rupee symbol from the Tamil Nadu Budget "weakened the commitment to national unity and that it was "more than mere symbolism".

"Moreover, the Tamil word 'Rupaai' itself has deep roots in the Sanskrit word 'Rupya', meaning 'wrought silver' or 'a worked silver coin'. This term has resonated across centuries in Tamil trade and literature, and even today, 'Rupaai' remains the currency name in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka," she posted on X.

The DMK government has reportedly removed the official Rupee symbol ‘₹’ from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 documents, which will be presented tomorrow.If the DMK (@arivalayam) has a problem with ‘₹’, why didn’t it protest back in 2010 when it was officially adopted under the…

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— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 13, 2025

BJP State president K Annamalai has slammed DMK and CM Stalin for replacing the national symbol.

"The DMK government’s State Budget for 2025-26 replaces the rupee symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by the whole of Bharat and incorporated into our currency," Annamalai wrote on social media platform X.

The DMK Government's State Budget for 2025-26 replaces the Rupee Symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by the whole of Bharat and incorporated into our Currency. Thiru Udhay Kumar, who designed the symbol, is the son of a former DMK MLA. How stupid can you become,… pic.twitter.com/t3ZyaVmxmq

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 13, 2025 What Is The Row Between Tamil Nadu And Central Government?

The southern state has been involved in a row with the Centre regarding the implementation of NEP 2020's three-language policy. As per the DMK led government, with NEP 2020, the Centre is "imposing" Hindi on non-Hindi speakers.

READ | Delimitation Row: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Writes To 7 States As Row With Centre Escalates

Meanwhile, the Central government has warned to hold back funds if the three language policy is not implemented across the state.

Along with Tamil Nadufolclorejogo, other states such as Punjab have also made their native language compulsory for students to learn in schools.