Nirmala Sitharaman has also used Tamil rupee symbol: TN CM Stalin
The recent move by the Tamil Nadu government to replace the Indian rupee symbol with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the 2025-26 state budget has sparked a heated debate. Critics have criticized the decision, citing concerns over the potential disruption to the country’s financial system and the lack of clarity on the move’s implications. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has come out in defense of his government’s decision, citing an interesting precedent set by none other than the Union Finance Minister herself, Nirmala Sitharaman.
Speaking at a recent event, Stalin pointed out that Sitharaman had used the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ instead of the English abbreviation ‘Re’ for rupee in a budget presentation. This, he argued, showed that even the Finance Minister recognized the importance of the Tamil language and culture. Stalin went on to say that the decision to use the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the state budget was a deliberate choice made to showcase the government’s commitment to promoting the Tamil language and culture.
The move has been met with a mixed response from various quarters. While some have lauded the government’s decision as a bold step towards promoting the Tamil language and culture, others have expressed concern over the potential implications on the country’s financial system. Some have also questioned the wisdom of replacing the universally recognized Indian rupee symbol with a regional letter.
However, Stalin’s defense of the decision has added a new layer of complexity to the debate. If even the Finance Minister, who is responsible for the country’s financial affairs, has used the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in a budget presentation, then what is the objection to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to adopt the same symbol in its budget?
The use of the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the state budget is not a new phenomenon. In recent years, the Tamil Nadu government has taken several steps to promote the use of the Tamil language in official documents and public communications. This includes the use of Tamil signage and symbols in government buildings and public spaces, as well as the introduction of Tamil language courses in schools and colleges.
The decision to use the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the state budget is seen as a continuation of this policy. It is also seen as a move to differentiate the state’s budget from the central budget, which is presented in English. The use of the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ is a way of asserting the state’s identity and cultural distinctiveness, and to demonstrate its commitment to promoting the Tamil language and culture.
However, the decision has also raised several questions about the implications of using a regional symbol in place of the universally recognized Indian rupee symbol. How will this affect the country’s financial system? Will it lead to confusion and errors in financial transactions? Will it affect the country’s ability to participate in international financial transactions?
In response to these concerns, the Tamil Nadu government has argued that the use of the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ will not disrupt the country’s financial system. The government has also pointed out that the use of regional languages and symbols is not unique to Tamil Nadu. Many states in India have their own languages and symbols, and the country has a rich tradition of linguistic and cultural diversity.
In conclusion, the decision to use the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the Tamil Nadu state budget has sparked a heated debate. While some have criticized the decision, citing concerns over the potential disruption to the country’s financial system and the lack of clarity on the move’s implications, others have lauded the government’s decision as a bold step towards promoting the Tamil language and culture. The use of the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ is a way of asserting the state’s identity and cultural distinctiveness, and to demonstrate its commitment to promoting the Tamil language and culture.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/2aa05671-f626-4162-acdc-ea63cc0d4a96
