Amid its ongoing standoff with the Union government over the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language policy, the Tamil Nadu government has made a symbolic statement by featuring the Tamil rupee symbol (ரூ) instead of ₹ on the cover of its 2025-26 state budget documents.
Chief Minister MK Stalin also released a short video ahead of the budget, titled “Everything for Everyone,” emphasizing that the state’s financial plan aims to ensure inclusive growth and the overall development of Tamil Nadu.
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Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26: Key Details & Political Significance
The Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 will be presented in the State Assembly on March 14 by Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu. With Assembly elections scheduled for 2026, this is the last budget of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government before facing the polls.
The move to use the Tamil rupee symbol instead of the official Devanagari-based ₹ has drawn attention, especially in the context of Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to Hindi imposition.
Why Tamil Nadu Used ‘ரூ’ Instead of ‘₹’ on Budget Cover?
The Indian rupee symbol (₹) was introduced in 2010 and is designed as a blend of the Devanagari ‘Ra’ (र) and Roman ‘R’, with two horizontal lines representing the national flag and equality. However, the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to use ‘ரூ’ (Tamil for Rupee) instead, is being seen as a political statement against the Union government, especially amid heated debates over language policies and federal rights.
NEP, Three-Language Policy & Growing Opposition in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has been vocal against the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula, considering it an attempt to push Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states. The DMK-led state government has continuously opposed any form of language imposition, advocating for Tamil and English as the primary mediums of instruction.
Interestingly, opposition to the Union government’s policies is not limited to the DMK. Other key players in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, including the AIADMK (BJP’s former ally) and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), have also criticized the language policy.
DMK to Host Joint Action Committee (JAC) Meeting on March 22
Further intensifying its political battle with the Union government, the DMK government has announced a Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on March 22, bringing together leaders from southern states and Odisha to oppose the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies proposed by the Centre.
In preparation for this meeting, DMK leaders have been actively reaching out to regional allies:
- Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
- Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
- Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
- Telangana CM Revanth Reddy
According to reports, Siddaramaiah, Revanth Reddy, and Naveen Patnaik are expected to attend the JAC meet on March 22.
Final Thoughts
With the 2025-26 state budget, the DMK government is not only outlining its economic policies but also sending a strong political message. The use of the Tamil rupee symbol on the budget cover reinforces Tamil Nadu’s assertion of linguistic identity and its resistance to Union government policies perceived as centralizing or imposing Hindi.
As the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, this move—along with growing regional unity against the Centre—could play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape in the state.
