The Tamil Nadu government has replaced the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter for ‘roo’ in the 2025-26 Budget logo, promoting Tamil identity. BJP leader Annamalai criticizes the move, calling it unnecessary.
Tamil Nadu Govt Replaces ₹ with Tamil Script in Budget Logo
The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has replaced the Indian rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘roo’ in the official logo for the State Budget 2025-26. The new logo, featuring the slogan ‘Ellarkum Ellam’ (everything for everyone), was unveiled on March 13, 2025, a day before the Budget presentation.
According to official sources, the decision aligns with Tamil Nadu’s continued push to promote Tamil identity and linguistic pride.
🗣 An official source stated:
“A few logo designs were sent for the Chief Minister’s approval. He selected this version and shared it on his social media.”
🔥 BJP’s Annamalai Criticizes the Move
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai strongly opposed the decision, questioning the need to replace the ₹ symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian, D. Udayakumar.
🔹 Annamalai’s response on X:
“The DMK government has replaced the rupee symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by Bharat and incorporated into our currency. D. Udayakumar, who created the symbol, is the son of a former DMK MLA. What message is this government trying to send?”
The ₹ symbol, introduced in 2010, was chosen through a national contest, and Udayakumar’s design blends the Devanagari ‘Ra’ and the Roman ‘R’ to represent the rupee.
📌 Key Arguments Against the Change:
✔ The rupee symbol is a nationally recognized icon, and altering it could be seen as political symbolism.
✔ Critics claim it reflects DMK’s push for linguistic and regional identity over national unity.
✔ The Tamil letter ‘roo’ is not legally recognized as a currency symbol, raising concerns over standardization.
🌍 Tamil Nadu’s Linguistic Assertion: A Political Statement?
This move is the latest in Tamil Nadu’s efforts to assert linguistic and cultural identity, particularly in the face of perceived Hindi imposition.
📖 Recent TN Government Decisions on Language:
✅ Opposition to NEP 2020 and the three-language formula (TN insists on Tamil & English only).
✅ Refusal to implement CUET for college admissions.
✅ Push for Tamil usage in governance, education, and legal matters.
DMK leaders maintain that using Tamil in state matters strengthens cultural identity, while critics argue that such moves are unnecessary and politically motivated.
🔍 What’s Next?
With Tamil Nadu’s firm stance on Tamil identity, this rupee symbol controversy is unlikely to be an isolated incident. The BJP vs DMK political battle over linguistic and national identity issues will likely intensify in the lead-up to the 2026 state elections.
👉 Do you support the Tamil Nadu government’s decision, or do you think the ₹ symbol should remain unchanged? Let us know in the comments!
