The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has replaced the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter for ‘Ru’ in the state budget logo, fueling a language row. This move comes amid TN’s opposition to NEP 2020 and the three-language policy
MK Stalin Govt Drops Rupee Symbol, Sparks Language Controversy
In a bold move, the Tamil Nadu government under CM MK Stalin has replaced the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil script for ‘Ru’ in the state budget logo. This is reportedly the first time any Indian state has dropped the national currency symbol, intensifying the ongoing language debate.
The decision comes amidst Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the three-language formula, which the state sees as an imposition of Hindi.
🔥 Political Reactions & BJP’s Criticism
The Tamil Nadu government has not issued an official statement on the change. However, the BJP has slammed the move, calling it an attempt to distance Tamil Nadu from national symbols.
🔹 Narayanan Thirupathy (BJP Spokesperson) criticized the decision, stating:
“The rupee symbol is a national identity, and its removal shows the ruling party’s stance of being ‘different from India.’”
This development adds to the ongoing friction between the DMK-led TN government and the Centre, particularly on language policies and education reforms.
💰 Centre Withholds ₹573 Crore in Education Funds
Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the NEP 2020 has financial consequences. The Union government has withheld ₹573 crore in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds, citing non-compliance with NEP guidelines.
📌 Key Points:
✔ Under PM SHRI, states must sign an MoU agreeing to implement NEP 2020 to receive funds.
✔ The Centre provides 60% of SSA funding to states like Tamil Nadu.
✔ Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the three-language policy, insisting on a two-language system (Tamil & English).
The fund freeze raises concerns over the future of Tamil Nadu’s education initiatives and potential financial strains on the state’s schools.
🔍 The Language Controversy: Tamil Nadu vs NEP 2020
Tamil Nadu has long opposed Hindi imposition and centralized education policies, with the DMK strongly advocating for Tamil identity and linguistic autonomy.
📖 TN’s Stand on NEP 2020:
✅ Supports Tamil-English bilingual education (Rejects Hindi as a third language).
✅ Opposes CUET (Common University Entrance Test), calling it unfair to state board students.
✅ Rejects centralized syllabus mandates, advocating state-controlled education policies.
The DMK vs BJP clash over language and education policies has intensified, with the rupee symbol replacement being the latest flashpoint.
🚀 What’s Next?
🔹 Will Tamil Nadu stick to its decision despite criticism?
🔹 Will the Centre negotiate on education funds, or will the standoff continue?
🔹 How will this impact national integration debates and future state policies?
The rupee symbol replacement has ignited a fresh debate on regional identity vs national symbols, further widening the Centre-State divide.
👉 What’s your take on this controversy? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
