Tamil Nadu’s New Currency Symbol Sparks Debate
The Tamil Nadu government has stirred controversy by replacing the standard Indian rupee (₹) symbol with the Tamil letter “ரூ” (Ru) in its state budget promotional material. The move has led to sharp political reactions, particularly from the BJP.
Udaya Kumar: “I Have No Reaction”
Professor D Udaya Kumar, the designer of the Indian rupee symbol, has distanced himself from the controversy. Speaking to PTI, he stated:
- “I don’t have any reaction. It’s the Government which suddenly felt there was a need for a change, and they wanted to implement their own script.”
- He emphasized that the decision was entirely up to the state government.
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Political Angle: BJP Criticizes DMK’s Move
K. Annamalai, BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief, strongly criticized the ruling DMK for dropping the national rupee symbol. In a post on X, he remarked
Udaya Kumar’s Background and Rupee Symbol Design
- Originally from Thanjavur, Kumar completed his post-graduation from IIT Mumbai.
- In 2010, his rupee design was selected from hundreds of entries in a government competition.
- The rupee (₹) symbol was officially approved during the UPA government’s tenure.
Recalling the design process, Kumar shared
Tamil Nadu’s Budget Logo: A Cultural Shift?
The budget logo released by the state government features ‘ரூ’, derived from ‘Rubaai,’ the Tamil word for rupee. While the DMK government has not officially responded to the backlash, the move aligns with its broader emphasis on Tamil identity and linguistic pride.
Expert Insights on Symbolism and Identity
Dr. R. Srinivasan, a political analyst, noted:
- “The rupee symbol (₹) represents national integration, and any change must be widely discussed.”
- “However, regional representation in financial symbols is not uncommon worldwide.”
What’s Next?
As the debate continues, the key question remains: Will the Tamil Nadu government officially adopt the new symbol, or will public and political pressure lead to a rollback?
Have Your Say
What do you think about Tamil Nadu’s decision to replace the rupee symbol with ‘ரூ’? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on social media!
