‘Dangerous mindset’: FM slams DMK for removing ‘₹’ symbol from Tamil Nadu Budget

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has termed the DMK government's purported move to remove the official Rupee symbol ‘₹’ from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26, which will be presented tomorrow, as a "dangerous mindset". The Union Finance Minister has also accused the state government of promoting a "secessionist sentiment".

The DMK government's move has sparked criticism, with the Finance Minister asked why the party, which was part of the ruling alliance when ‘₹’ was officially adopted in 2010 under the UPA government, now seeks to erase a national currency symbol.

"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. A completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism," the FM said.

"The DMK government has reportedly removed the official Rupee symbol ‘₹’ from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 documents, which will be presented tomorrow. If the DMK (@arivalayam) has a problem with ‘₹’, 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?," the FM said via X.

She said that ironically, ‘₹’ 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," she adds.

Elaborating further, the FM said the Tamil word ‘Rupaai’ (ரூபாய்) itself has deep roots in the Sanskrit word ‘Rupya,’ meaning ‘wrought silver’ or ‘a worked silver coin.’ This term, she said, has resonated across centuries in Tamil trade and literature. "...even today, ‘Rupaai’ remains the currency name in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka."

Several countries, including Indonesia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, officially use ‘Rupee’ or its 'equivalent/derivatives' as their currency name, she explained in her tweet.

The FM also talked about the rupee symbol's international recognition, saying it serves as a "visible identity of India" in global financial transactions. "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.

As per the FM, all elected representatives and authorities are sworn under the Constitution to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. "Removing a national symbol like '₹' from the State Budget documents goes against that very oath, weakening the commitment to national unity," she said.