FM Sitharaman Slams TN CM Stalin Over Rupee Symbol Change, Calls It 'Dangerous Mindset'

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for replacing the rupee symbol in the state Budget document with a Tamil letter, calling it an unavoidable example of linguistic and regional chauvinism.

In a post on X, Sitharaman stated that replacing the rupee symbol reflected a "dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride."

Photo Credit: PTI

She argued that removing the rupee symbol from Tamil Nadu's Budget "weakened the commitment to national unity" and that it was "more than mere symbolism."

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

Sitharaman questioned why the DMK had not opposed the rupee symbol when it was officially adopted in 2010 under the Congress-led UPA government, given that the DMK was part of the ruling alliance at the time.

"Ironically, '' 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 remarked.

"If the DMK 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?" she asked.

She further pointed out that several countries, including Indonesia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, officially use the rupee or its equivalent as their currency name.

"Rupee symbol '' is internationally well-recognised and 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 said, criticising the Tamil Nadu government.