What Is ‘Ru’? Tamil Letter For ₹ That Has Created Huge Divisive Language Row

Chennai: The MK Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu has once again stirred controversy by replacing the universally recognized Indian Rupee symbol with the Tamil letter 'ru' from 'rubai' (rupees in Tamil) in its 2025-26 state budget documents on Thursday. 

This move has sparked criticism, with many arguing that it further deepens the linguistic and cultural divide between the North and South.

What is ‘Ru'?

In Tamil language, letter “ru” from the word "Rubai" (ருபாய்) refers to the Indian currency "rupee". It is commonly used to denote the monetary unit used in India and many other countries. The term is derived from the Hindi word "rupee," which is used to describe the currency.

Also Read: Stalin Govt Now Changes Rupee Symbol After Creating North-South Divide, Takes Language Debate to New Low

Additionally, "Rubai" could also be a reference to the "Rubaiyat", the famous collection of poems by the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. However, in the context of Tamil, it is more commonly associated with the term for currency, specifically referring to "rupees."

Tamil Nadu Rejects National Currency Symbol

Stalin's government move marks the first time a state has rejected the national currency symbol, intensifying its opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP). Widely perceived as a symbolic gesture, the Tamil Nadu government’s decision comes amid the ruling DMK’s ongoing clash with the BJP -led central government over the alleged ‘imposition of Hindi’ through the NEP.

By replacing the official Rupee symbol with the Tamil letter for ‘ru’ from ‘rubai’ (rupees in Tamil) in the 2025-26 state budget, the Stalin administration has once again asserted its resistance to central policies. This move reaffirms the government's long-standing pro-Tamil and anti-Hindi stance.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai slammed the DMK's move, in his X post, he wrote,"The DMK Government's State Budget for 2025-26 replaces the Rupee Symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by the whole of Bharat and incorporated into our Currency. 

"Thiru Udhay Kumar, who designed the symbol, is the son of a former DMK MLA. How stupid can you become, Thiru @mkstalin?” he added.