Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday strongly condemned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s decision to replace the rupee symbol (₹) with a Tamil letter (Ru) in the state Budget document. Sitharaman described the move as a “dangerous mindset” that threatens Indian unity and fosters secessionist sentiments under the guise of regional pride.
In a post on X, Sitharaman emphasized that the rupee symbol is a nationally recognized emblem and its removal from the Tamil Nadu Budget weakens the commitment to national integrity. She highlighted that the Tamil word ‘Rupaai,’ used for currency, has its origins in the Sanskrit term ‘Rupya,’ meaning ‘wrought silver,’ showcasing the deep historical and cultural ties.
Sitharaman also questioned the DMK’s silence when the rupee symbol was officially adopted in 2010 under the Congress-led UPA government, of which the DMK was a part. She pointed out that the symbol was designed by Th D Udaya Kumar, the son of a former DMK MLA, making the rejection even more ironic.
The Finance Minister further stressed the international recognition of the rupee symbol, noting its importance in global financial transactions. She warned that undermining the symbol could harm India’s efforts to promote cross-border payments through UPI.
The controversy has sparked a debate on regional identity versus national unity, with Sitharaman urging states to prioritize collective progress over divisive symbols.
