The decision of the Tamil Nadu government to replace the universally recognised symbol of Indian currency Rs with the Tamil letter Ru has stirred a hornet’s nest across the country if the initial reactions are any indication. But even DMK persons are of the view that Chief Minister MK Stalin’s new found passion for Tamil language is to make the Centre to use Article 356 in order dismiss the democratically elected government so that the party could romp home with increased majority in the 2026 Assembly election based on the sympathy wave.
The move to change the symbol from Rs to Ru (rubaai, Tamil for Rupee) was publicised by the DMK government through advertisements in the Stalin-family owned newspapers and news channels which are galore in the state. Thangam Thennarasu, the minister for finance is all set to present the 2025-2026 budget for Tamil Nadu on Friday.
Thennarasu is not known for his prowess either in economy or education and is guided by a coterie of IAS officers, according to Prof C Murukadass, former head of the department of economics and who had been advisor to chief minister MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
Edappadi Palaniswamy, former chief minister, termed the move as political stunt and one of the many gimmicks deployed by Stalin to tide over the financial ruin Tamil Nadu is undergoing. The economic survey presented by the government a la the Centre is also another ploy to cheat the general public, said Palaniswamy who took to social media.
K Annamalai, the state BJP chief, pointed out that Stalin has scored a self goal in his bid to emerge as the savior of Tamil. “It was Udhayakumar, a Tamil Nadu born youth who designed and developed the Rs which was recognised and accepted by the then UPA Government headed by Manmohan Singh. The DMK was the second largest partner in that government and had supported the decision,” said Annamalai.
Udhayakumar is the son of Dharmalingam, a former DMK MLA who had represented Rishivandhyan constituency. “It is like humiliating the Tamil youth who had the rare privilege to design the emblem of the national currency,” said Prof Murukadass.
Stalin is engaged in a battle with the BJP-led Center over the implementation of the three-language policy in school and college curriculum. He has convened a meeting of the non-BJP chief ministers to form a united front against the BJP-led NDA government’s NEP 2025 and the alleged order to impose Hindi.
“Stalin or for that matter any other chief ministers in the country are incapable to replace the Rs with the design or letter of their choice as this comes under the prerogative of the Centre. What the DMK government is doing is to divert the attention of the public from the failure of the Stalin government. The state is burdened with debt of Rs 9.54 Lakh Crore and there is no money in the coffers for social welfare measures. Moreover, Stalin is facing indifferent health due to a series of ailments. His only mission is to facilitate the coronation of son Udhanidhi as the successor,” said Prof Murugadass.
Political commentators in Chennai are of the view that Stalin’s displeasure over the National education Policy and the campaign against it is much ado about nothing. “This is a move to grab national headlines and the people will forget the same after the initial excitement,” said a senior commentator.
Dr YR Johnson, former principal of Navodaya Vidyalaya and a widely respected educationist is of the view that the State Government was violating the provision enshrined in Indian Constitution that guarantees the right to education. “You cannot deny the children their right to learn a language. Let the politicians have their fights in the public arena but not in schools or colleges. The Supreme Court and High Courts in the country have reiterated many times the right of children to learn the language of their choice and what the Tamil Nadu Government does is gross violation of court order,” said Dr Johnson.
Adding to the woes of Stalin, a former ADGP Pon Manickavel said that Stalin has lost all capabilities to administer the State and he is led by a group of advisors who are working against the interest of the nation.
The Lok Sabha had witnessed Dhayanidhi Maran, Stalin’s nephew questioning the propriety over the translation of Indian Constitution into Sanskrit, to which the Speaker gave the former some basic lessons.
