‘She Herself Used Tamil Letter Ru’: Stalin On Nirmala Sitharaman’s ‘Regional Chauvinism’ Comment – News18
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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin defended utilizing the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ within the state finances brand, citing dedication to Tamil. Critics, together with Nirmala Sitharaman, known as it divisive.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin (Picture/ X@mkstalin)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has defended his authorities’s resolution to switch the rupee image (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ (from ‘Rubaai’, that means rupee) within the state finances brand.
He argued that these against the Tamil language had blown the problem out of proportion. Responding to media questions, Stalin asserted that the transfer was a mirrored image of Tamil Nadu’s dedication to its language coverage.
He identified that even Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had beforehand used the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ instead of ‘Re’ in English. “Curiously, Nirmala Sitharaman herself has used the Tamil letter as a substitute of ‘Re’ in English,” he remarked.
The choice to take away the rupee image from the Tamil Nadu Funds 2025-26 brand, introduced on March 14, has sparked widespread criticism from opposition events, together with the BJP and AIADMK.
Critics have accused the ruling DMK of participating in regional politics at the price of nationwide unity. Taking to social media, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly condemned the choice, calling it “a very avoidable instance of language and regional chauvinism.” She argued that eradicating the rupee image signalled “a harmful mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments below the pretence of regional pleasure.”
Sitharaman additionally reminded elected representatives of their constitutional responsibility to uphold nationwide sovereignty, including that the DMK’s transfer contradicted this dedication.
She additionally highlighted the irony behind the choice, mentioning that the rupee image was designed by D Udaya Kumar, the son of former DMK MLA N Dharmalingam.
“By erasing it now, the DMK shouldn’t be solely rejecting a nationwide image but in addition completely disregarding the inventive contribution of a Tamil youth,” Sitharaman stated.
BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya criticised Stalin, emphasising that the rupee image was designed in Devanagari script by D Udaya Kumar.
Malviya echoed an analogous sentiment, writing on X, “Chief Minister Stalin is insulting Tamilians by dropping the ₹ signal from the Tamil Nadu Funds 2025-26 doc.”
AIADMK Basic Secretary and Chief of Opposition, Edappadi Okay Palaniswami (EPS), additionally condemned the transfer, calling it a “publicity stunt” designed to divert consideration from administrative failures. He accused Stalin of participating in “empty commercial campaigns” fairly than addressing the actual wants of the individuals.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Okay Annamalai joined the criticism, questioning why Stalin changed the rupee image with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’. “The DMK authorities has changed the rupee image, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted by the whole nation. How silly are you able to change into, Thiru @mkstalin?” Annamalai posted on social media.
Tamil Nadu authorities reiterated that the finances brand goals to mirror the state’s linguistic id. The brand additionally carries the caption “Every part for All,” which the DMK claims embodies its inclusive governance mannequin.
Stalin additionally identified that many individuals nonetheless use ‘Rs’ as a substitute of ‘Re’ in English paperwork with out controversy. He criticised the Union authorities for responding solely to the rupee image problem whereas ignoring Tamil Nadu’s calls for for catastrophe aid, training funds, and employment schemes.
The controversy comes amid a long-standing battle between the Tamil Nadu authorities and the Centre over language insurance policies.
The DMK has repeatedly accused the Union authorities of imposing Hindi, and the removing of the rupee image is seen as a part of this broader resistance. This marks the primary time a state has rejected the nationwide foreign money image, escalating the controversy over regional id versus nationwide unity.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – IANS)
