Chennai, Mar 13 (UNI) Joining issue with the ruling DMK on removing and replacing the
Indian Rupee symbol with the Tamil letter "Ru" in its budget document to be presented
tomorrow, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday night termed it as
regional chauvinism and asserted that it's more than symbolism, signalling a dangerous
mindset that would weaken Indian unity and promote secessionism.
She also sought to know why the DMK did not object to it when it was officially adopted
in 2010 by the Congress-led UPA government in which it was a partner.
By erasing it, the DMK was not only rejecting a National symbol, but also utterly disregarded
the creative contribution of a Tamil youth and undermined the country's own national currency
symbol, she said.
Observing that it signalled a dangerous mindset that would weaken Indian unity and promote
secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride, Ms Nirmala said it was a
completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism.
In post on X, both in English and Tamils, Ms Nirmala took strong objections to the removal of
Indian Rupee symbol designed by the son of a DMK MLA and internationally recognised and
serves as visible identity of India in global financial transactions, and replacing it with the Tamil
letter.
"The DMK government has reportedly removed the official Rupee symbol from the Tamil Nadu
Budget 2025-26 documents, which will be presented tomorrow", she wrote.
"If the DMK (@arivalayam--meaning DMK headquarters) has a problem with the Indian
Rupee symbol, why didn’t it protest back in 2010 when it was officially adopted under the
@INCIndia-led UPA government, at a time when the DMK was part of the ruling alliance
at the Centre?", she asked in the post.
She said "Ironically, ‘the Indian Rupee symbol’ was designed by Th. D Udaya Kumar, the
son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam. By erasing it now, the DMK is not only rejecting
a national symbol but also utterly disregarding the creative contribution of a Tamil youth".
"Moreover, the Tamil word ‘Rupaai’ (Rubai) itself has deep roots in the Sanskrit word ‘Rupya,’
meaning ‘wrought silver’ or ‘a worked silver coin.’ This term has resonated across centuries
in Tamil trade and literature, and even today, ‘Rupaai’ remains the currency name in Tamil
Nadu and Sri Lanka", Ms Nirmala said.
"In fact, several countries, including Indonesia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles
and Sri Lanka, officially use ‘Rupee’ or its 'equivalent/derivatives' as their currency name",
the Union Finance Minister pointed out, justifying her criticisms against the ruling DMK for
changing it.
"Rupee symbol is internationally well-recognized and serves as a visible identity of India in
global financial transactions", she said.
"At a time when India is pushing for cross-border payments using UPI, should we really be
undermining our own national currency symbol?, she asked.
"All elected representatives and authorities are sworn under the Constitution to uphold the
sovereignty and integrity of our nation", she said.
"Removing a national symbol like Rupee from the State Budget documents goes against
that very oath, weakening the commitment to national unity", Ms Nirmala contended.
"This is more than mere symbolism—it signals a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian
unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride", she said,
adding, "A completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism."
UNI GV 2245