The Tamil Nadu government has replaced the Indian rupee (₹) symbol with the Tamil letter ‘Er’ (ஏ) in the logo for its upcoming 2025-26 state budget. Chief Minister M K Stalin unveiled this change ahead of presenting the FY26 budget on March 14, marking a significant move in promoting regional language identity.The new logo, which reads “Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26. Everything for everyone,” prominently features the Tamil letter instead of the rupee sign. This shift reflects the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government’s commitment to strengthening Tamil cultural representation in official documents.The decision aligns with the state’s long-standing stance against Hindi imposition. The DMK, led by Stalin, has consistently opposed the National Education Policy (NEP), calling it a “saffronized policy” that undermines regional languages. This latest move reinforces Tamil Nadu’s dedication to linguistic and cultural preservation.Supporters of the change view it as an assertion of Tamil identity, reinforcing the state’s rich heritage. However, critics argue that altering a widely accepted national currency symbol could create inconsistencies in financial representation.This initiative is the latest in a series of steps by the Tamil Nadu government to promote Tamil language and culture in administration. It signals a continued push for greater linguistic autonomy and resistance to centralized language policies.As Tamil Nadu prepares to present its 2025-26 budget, this symbolic shift highlights the ongoing debate over language and identity in India’s federal structure.
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