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The political landscape of Tamil Nadu is witnessing a fresh confrontation between the ruling DMK and the opposition BJP, sparked by the DMK government's decision to replace the universally recognized rupee symbol in its promotional material for the state budget with the Tamil letter 'Ru'. This seemingly innocuous act has ignited a fiery debate, with BJP state President K Annamalai launching a scathing attack on the DMK, accusing the party of disrespecting Tamils and exhibiting “stupidity.” Annamalai’s outrage stems from the fact that the rupee symbol itself was designed by D Udaya Kumar, a Tamilian and the son of a former DMK MLA. This adds a layer of irony to the situation, as Annamalai argues that the DMK is inadvertently undermining a Tamilian achievement while attempting to promote the Tamil language. The DMK, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has defended its decision by stating that it is not against the rupee symbol but rather seeks to prioritize and promote the Tamil language. They argue that using the Tamil letter 'Ru' is a way to assert Tamil identity and cultural pride. However, this explanation has failed to appease Annamalai, who views the move as nonsensical and a deliberate attempt to escalate the ongoing “language war” between the state government and the central government. The controversy highlights the complex interplay of language, identity, and politics in Tamil Nadu, a state with a long history of linguistic and cultural nationalism. The rupee symbol dispute is not merely a matter of aesthetics or semantics; it represents a deeper struggle over cultural dominance and political power. The BJP, seeking to expand its influence in the state, is capitalizing on the issue to portray the DMK as anti-national and insensitive to Tamilian achievements. The DMK, on the other hand, is attempting to frame the issue as a defense of Tamil identity against perceived Hindi imposition by the central government.
D Udaya Kumar, the designer of the rupee symbol, holds a Master's degree in Visual Communication and a PhD from the Industrial Design Centre of IIT Bombay. He won a national contest in 2009 to create the symbol, which was officially adopted in 2010. Kumar's design cleverly blended the Devanagari 'Ra' (for rupiah) with the Roman 'R', creating a symbol that resonated with both Indian traditions and international appeal. He emphasized the importance of universality while staying true to Indian cultural roots. The fact that Kumar is the son of a former DMK MLA, N Dharmalingam, further complicates the narrative. Annamalai has seized upon this connection to accuse the DMK of hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty. He argues that the DMK's action is not only disrespectful to Kumar but also undermines the very essence of Tamil identity. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Annamalai questioned the DMK's intelligence and commitment to Tamil pride, suggesting that their decision to replace the rupee symbol is a profound act of self-sabotage. The DMK, however, remains steadfast in its defense, asserting that its intention is not to disrespect Kumar or the rupee symbol but rather to promote the Tamil language in all spheres of life. DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai has stated that there is nothing illegal or inherently wrong with using the Tamil letter 'Ru' in promotional material and that it is simply a reflection of the government's commitment to prioritizing Tamil culture and identity. The party argues that the use of 'Ru' does not negate the importance of the official rupee symbol but rather complements it by adding a distinct Tamil flavor.
The rupee symbol controversy is further intertwined with the ongoing debate over language policy in Tamil Nadu. The DMK has been a vocal critic of the National Education Policy (NEP), which it believes seeks to impose Hindi on the state by mandating a three-language formula in schools. The DMK advocates for the continuation of the existing two-language policy, which prioritizes Tamil and English. The central government, however, maintains that the NEP does not force anyone to learn Hindi and that learning three languages will benefit students who wish to pursue opportunities in other parts of India. Annamalai has accused the DMK of creating an “artificial” grievance over the language issue, arguing that there is widespread support for learning a third language in Tamil Nadu. He claims that his signature campaign in support of the three-language policy has garnered over 1.4 million signatures, demonstrating the public's desire for multilingualism. He also alleges that the DMK is attempting to create a false narrative of division between the southern and northern parts of India, using the language issue as a tool to gain political mileage. The DMK, however, stands firm in its opposition to what it perceives as Hindi imposition, arguing that it threatens the unique cultural and linguistic identity of Tamil Nadu. The party views the promotion of Tamil as a fundamental aspect of its political ideology and believes that the government has a responsibility to protect and preserve the language for future generations. The rupee symbol controversy, therefore, is not just about a symbol; it is about a broader struggle for cultural and political autonomy in a diverse and complex nation.
Source: "Designed By Tamilian": K Annamalai's "Stupid" Barb At DMK Amid Rupee Row