Chennai/IBNS: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday slammed Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK over its move to replace the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter (Ru), saying it "promotes secessionist sentiments".

"This is more than mere symbolism—it signals a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride. A completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism," Sitharaman said.

"If the DMK (@arivalayam) 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?

"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 said.

"Moreover, the Tamil word ‘Rupaai’ (ரூபாய்) 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," Sitharaman added.

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday dropped the rupee symbol in the promotional material of the state budget 2025-2026 amid the ongoing language debate in the state, media reports said.

The rupee symbol has been replaced with a Tamil word.

The budget will be presented on Friday.

Hitting out at the DMK government in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s state president K Annamalai wrote on X, "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?"

The DMK, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, countered the criticism saying the move is not illegal.

The move comes amid the 'language war' between Tamil Nadu and the Centre.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday accused the BJP of trying to 'impose Hindi' on the southern state in the guise of a National Education Policy and called it a plan to develop Hindi rather than India.