The Tamil Nadu government, under Chief Minister MK Stalin, has ignited a fresh language controversy by replacing the Indian rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter for 'Ru' in the official logo of the 2025 State Budget. The Tamil letter 'Ru' represents 'Rubai' (Rupee in Tamil), and this move is being seen as a strong assertion of Tamil linguistic identity.

This development comes amid ongoing conflicts between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over what the state perceives as an attempt to impose Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Why Did Tamil Nadu Change the Rupee Symbol?

Tamil Nadu has historically resisted the imposition of Hindi, advocating for Tamil and English as its only official languages. The latest decision to replace the rupee symbol in the state budget reflects a broader push to emphasize Tamil heritage and assert linguistic autonomy.

CM MK Stalin has often emphasized that Tamil is more than just a language—it is a cultural, historical, and self-respect symbol for Tamilians. By modifying the rupee symbol, the state government aims to reinforce Tamil identity amid increasing concerns about Hindi dominance in official communication and education policies.

Language Row: Tamil Nadu vs Centre

The language dispute between Tamil Nadu and the Centre has intensified due to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes a three-language formula (including Hindi). Tamil Nadu has firmly rejected this, continuing with its two-language policy—Tamil and English.

As a consequence, the Union government has reportedly withheld ₹573 crore in central assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), an education scheme jointly funded by the Centre and the states.

The Tamil Nadu government argues that the Centre's move is an attempt to financially pressure non-Hindi speaking states into adopting the three-language system. The DMK has consistently opposed such policies, maintaining that forcing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking populations infringes on their linguistic rights.

Centre's Response: Politicization or Genuine Concern?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has dismissed Tamil Nadu’s claims, accusing the DMK government of politicizing the issue for electoral gains. He argued that the three-language formula is meant to promote multilingual education and that Tamil Nadu’s resistance is an attempt to stir regional sentiments for political advantage.

He also clarified that NEP does not impose Hindi but offers flexibility. However, Tamil Nadu remains unconvinced, viewing this as an attempt to gradually introduce Hindi as a dominant language across the country.

Implications of Tamil Nadu's Decision

• Linguistic Assertion: By replacing the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter 'Ru', Tamil Nadu has sent a strong message that it will continue to defend its language and cultural identity.
• Political Strategy: The move is likely to strengthen DMK’s voter base, particularly among Tamil language purists who see linguistic assertion as a matter of pride.
• Centre-State Tension: The ongoing rift between Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led Central government is expected to intensify, especially with upcoming elections.

Conclusion: Symbolic Resistance or Political Move?

The replacement of the rupee symbol in the Tamil Nadu budget is more than just a design choice—it represents a larger struggle for linguistic and cultural preservation. While the Centre insists that NEP 2020 promotes education diversity, Tamil Nadu perceives it as a step toward Hindi imposition.

With the Centre withholding funds and the state standing firm, this language battle is far from over. Whether this move will have long-term policy implications or remain a symbolic resistance remains to be seen.

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