DMK defends decision on rupee symbol but adds it's focused on promoting Tamil language

The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter “Ru” in promotional material for the state budget has sparked controversy. The move has drawn sharp reactions from political circles, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of disregarding the nationally recognized symbol.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu drops rupee symbol from state budget, sparks language row

The rupee symbol, designed in 2009 by D Udaya Kumar, a Tamil Nadu-based designer, was chosen in a nationwide contest. The BJP’s state chief K Annamalai criticized the DMK, highlighting that the symbol was created by a Tamilian and was widely accepted across the country. He called the party’s move “stupid” and accused it of failing to recognize the contribution of a Tamil designer, who is also the son of a former DMK MLA.

The DMK has defended its decision, stating that it is not opposed to the rupee symbol but is focused on promoting the Tamil language. The party has maintained that the usage of the Tamil letter “Ru” was a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening the linguistic and cultural identity of the state.

Udaya Kumar has distanced himself from the controversy, stating that he does not see the decision as disrespectful. He emphasized that designers must be prepared for criticism and different interpretations of their work.