Condemnable & Laughable: BJP’s K Annamalai on TN Government’s Decision to Change Rupee Symbol
The ongoing debate between Hindi and Tamil languages in India has taken a new turn with the Tamil Nadu government deciding to replace the official rupee symbol ‘₹’ with the Tamil letter ‘ரு’ in the state budget. While this move has been seen as a bold step by some, it has also invited criticism from various quarters, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Reacting to this decision, BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai called it “condemnable and laughable”. He said, “It’s not only condemnable but also laughable that the Tamil Nadu government has decided to change the Rupee symbol which is commonly accepted across Bharat. They are either foolish or this shows their immaturity.”
The decision to change the rupee symbol has been seen as a symbol of Tamil pride and a move to assert the language’s importance in the state. However, it has also been criticized for being unnecessary and causing confusion. The change is not expected to have any significant practical impact, as the existing ‘₹’ symbol will continue to be used alongside the new ‘ரு’ symbol.
The BJP’s reaction to the decision is not surprising, given the party’s strong stance on the promotion of Hindi as the national language. The party has been critical of the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to promote the use of Tamil language in government communications and has accused them of neglecting the interests of Hindi-speaking people in the state.
However, the Tamil Nadu government has defended its decision, saying that it is a matter of pride for the state and its people. Chief Minister M K Stalin has said that the change is necessary to promote the use of Tamil language in government communications and to assert the state’s identity.
The debate over the use of Hindi and Tamil languages in government communications is not new. The Tamil Nadu government has been promoting the use of Tamil language in government communications, including in official documents and public signage. The BJP has criticized this move, saying that it is divisive and goes against the idea of a unified India.
The use of the ‘ரு’ symbol is not the only controversy related to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision-making. The government has also been criticized for its handling of the state’s economy, including its decision to increase the minimum wage for government employees. The decision has been seen as a populist measure, but it has also been criticized for being unaffordable and causing financial burdens on the state.
In conclusion, the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to change the rupee symbol in the state budget has been met with criticism from the BJP and other quarters. While the move has been seen as a symbol of Tamil pride, it has also been criticized for being unnecessary and causing confusion. The ongoing debate over the use of Hindi and Tamil languages in government communications is likely to continue, with both sides presenting their arguments and counter-arguments.
