Tamil Nadu’s authorities has changed the rupee image (₹) with a Tamil letter (Ru) in promotional materials for the 2025/26 state price range. The price range, set to be offered on Friday, carries the tagline “every part for everybody.” This modification was seen after Chief Minister MK Stalin shared the up to date brand on social media platform X (previously Twitter). Final 12 months’s price range posters featured the normal rupee image.
The transfer is seen as a part of the ruling DMK’s ongoing battle with the BJP-led central authorities over what they name ‘Hindi imposition.’ This refers back to the Nationwide Training Coverage (NEP), which pushes for a three-language system, together with Hindi. The Tamil Nadu authorities has lengthy resisted this coverage, selling Tamil and English as an alternative.
Political reactions to the change
Thus far, the state authorities has not launched an official assertion explaining the image swap. Nevertheless, DMK chief Saravanan Annadurai defended the choice. He instructed a information outlet, “There may be nothing unlawful about it… this isn’t a ‘showdown’. We prioritise Tamil… that’s the reason the federal government went forward with this.”
The BJP, alternatively, criticised the transfer sharply. BJP state spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy stated the change alerts that the DMK is making an attempt to seem “completely different from India.” He accused the social gathering of utilizing this to distract individuals from its failures.
BJP state unit chief Okay Annamalai additionally condemned the choice. He posted on X, calling the transfer “silly.” He identified that the rupee image, adopted in 2010, was designed by the son of a former DMK MLA. “How silly are you able to change into?” he requested.
Former Governor and senior BJP chief Tamilisai Soundarajan additionally criticised the DMK. She argued the change “is towards the Structure” and accused the ruling social gathering of “working towards the nationwide curiosity.” She added, “They need to give attention to fundamental points reasonably than altering alphabets.” In a extra private assault, she challenged Chief Minister Stalin to “change his title to a Tamil different” if he was critical about prioritising Tamil.
This image change is a component of a bigger, ongoing battle between the DMK and the BJP-led central authorities. The disagreement centres across the Nationwide Training Coverage (NEP), which requires college students in Class VIII and above to check a 3rd language from an inventory of twenty-two languages, together with Hindi.
The Tamil Nadu authorities opposes this coverage, arguing that the state’s two-language system—Tamil and English—works nicely. Tamil Nadu, the second-largest contributor to India’s economic system, believes the NEP’s push for a 3rd language is pointless. DMK leaders say the coverage is a option to pressure Hindi onto non-Hindi-speaking states.
The BJP, nonetheless, insists the coverage will assist individuals after they journey to different states. Union Training Minister Dharmendra Pradhan just lately accused the DMK of making a “false narrative for political ends” to realize voter assist earlier than the upcoming election.
This language battle has led to heated exchanges between Mr. Stalin and Mr. Pradhan. After Mr. Pradhan stated the centre would withhold ₹2,150 crore in funds if Tamil Nadu didn’t implement the NEP, Mr. Stalin accused him of “blackmail.”
Mr. Stalin has additionally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to step in. He referred to as the NEP a “saffronization coverage” designed to advertise Hindi reasonably than enhance training. He warned that it will “fully destroy the Tamil Nadu training system.”
A historical past of language protests
Tamil Nadu has an extended historical past of resisting Hindi imposition. Within the Sixties, huge anti-Hindi protests rocked the state. Many imagine these protests formed the DMK’s rise to energy. Chief Minister Stalin referenced this historical past, saying, “Historical past is evident. Those that tried to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have both been defeated or later modified their stance and aligned with DMK.” He referred to as the NEP “Hindi colonialism changing British colonialism” and stated, “Tamil Nadu is not going to tolerate Hindi colonialism.”
The BJP counters this argument by pointing to current selections made by the central authorities to assist regional languages. For instance, Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah stated candidates can now take the Central Armed Police Drive (CAPF) entrance examination in 13 regional languages, together with Tamil. He urged Mr. Stalin to introduce medical and engineering programs in Tamil.
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