The Tamil Nadu government, led by the DMK, has removed the official rupee symbol (₹) from the 2025-26 state budget, replacing it with the Tamil script equivalent. This move, marking the first time a state rejected the national currency symbol, came amid an ongoing dispute between Tamil Nadu and the Central government over the three language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP).
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the 2025-26 Budget on 13th of March where the controversial move was adopted to drop the Rupee symbol. Ironically, Indian rupee symbol (₹) was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, an academic and designer. He is the son of N. Dharmalingam, who was a former DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) member of the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu.
The decision followed Tamil Nadu’s deranged opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its three-language formula, which the state has been brazenly painting in a negative light as an attempt to impose Hinthi (Hindi). Amid mounting anti-incumbency against the Stalin government, the DMK’s opposition to three language policy is being seen as nothing but an attempt to diverge attention from the constant failures the DMK govenment has delivered in the state be it on the front of clean governance. Several scandals have plagued the Stalin government while the surging crime rate has been another cause of concern in the state.
Due to its refusal to implement NEP, the Central government had withheld ₹573 crore in education aid under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The Union government mandated compliance with NEP provisions for SSA funding, where it covered 60% of the allocation for states like Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stood up as an opposition, leading a statewide protest on March 11 against both the NEP and the proposed delimitation exercise, which he described as a threat to South India.
Addressing a rally, MK Stalin accused the Centre of using financial aid as a weapon to enforce Hinthi. He also criticized the Union government for prioritizing investments in Sanskrit, “a language with limited speakers”, while sidelining Tamil, which has global significance. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in response, accused the DMK of using the language issue for political gains and labeled its stance on NEP as hypocritical.
The timing of the DMK’s renewed focus on the Hinthi (Hindi) vs. Tamil debate raises several quetions as it appears more of a strategy to divert attention from its governance failures as it comes ahead of the election year. By portraying itself as the defender of Tamil identity, the party aims to consolidate voter support while ignoring critical issues such as economic mismanagement and rising crime.
Tamil Nadu’s debt has soared beyond ₹7 lakh crore, making it the most indebted state in India. The state’s power utility, Tangedco, has accumulated losses exceeding ₹1.62 lakh crore due to inefficiencies. Instead of implementing fiscal reforms, the government continues with reckless spending and populist schemes, worsening the financial crisis. Law and order have also deteriorated under the DMK, with a surge in crimes against women and children, increasing drug trafficking, and illegal mining scandals. While the DMK engages in divisive politics, the real issues plaguing Tamil Nadu remain unaddressed, raising concerns over the state’s future stability.
