Nirmala Sitharaman Criticizes DMK Over Rupee Symbol Change
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu government for its decision to replace the official rupee symbol “₹” with the Tamil script “ரூ” in the state’s budget documents. She accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of promoting “secessionist sentiment” and questioned the rationale behind altering a nationally recognized currency symbol.
Sitharaman Calls Out DMK Over Rupee Symbol Change
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, recently presented its budget with the Tamil script replacing the rupee symbol. This move has drawn significant political attention, with Sitharaman condemning it as an attempt to distance the state from national unity. She remarked, “This is just to say that we are different from the rest of the country, and we will not accept anything that is national.”
Political and Public Reaction
Sitharaman pointed out that the rupee symbol was designed by a Tamilian, D. Udaya Kumar, and was introduced in 2010 by the UPA government, in which DMK was a coalition partner. She emphasized that the symbol represents India on a global stage, questioning why the Tamil Nadu government would now seek to reject it.
“When the rupee symbol was introduced, DMK was in power in Tamil Nadu and also part of the central government. The then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi did not oppose it. Why now?” she asked.
The move has sparked debates across political circles, with opposition leaders accusing DMK of unnecessarily politicizing a national symbol. Many critics argue that such changes set a dangerous precedent by prioritizing regional identity over national representation.
DMK’s Stand and Broader Implications
While DMK leaders have defended the decision as a reflection of Tamil pride, the controversy has fueled concerns over increasing linguistic and regional divides. Supporters of the change argue that using the Tamil script in state financial documents strengthens local identity and governance. However, critics warn that such alterations could lead to similar demands in other states, potentially undermining national integration.
As the debate continues, the controversy surrounding the rupee symbol replacement has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling DMK and the central government.
