Condemnable and Laughable: BJP’s Reaction to TN’s Decision to Replace ₹ Symbol with Tamil Letter
The recent decision by the Tamil Nadu government to replace the official rupee symbol ‘₹’ with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the state budget has sparked a heated debate, with the BJP terming it as “condemnable” and “laughable”. The move is seen as a response to the ongoing Hindi-Tamil row, with the DMK-led government attempting to assert the state’s cultural identity.
However, the BJP’s K Annamalai, reacting to the decision, took a strong stance, saying that the move is not only condemnable but also laughable. “It’s not only condemnable but also laughable that the Tamil Nadu government has decided to change the rupee symbol which is commonly accepted across Bharat,” he said.
Annamalai’s reaction is not surprising, given the BJP’s stance on language and cultural issues. The party has long been associated with promoting Hindi as the national language and has been critical of regional languages and cultural identities. The BJP’s reaction to the TN government’s decision is a classic example of this stance.
But what is laughable about the decision, according to Annamalai? The fact that the TN government is trying to replace a universally accepted symbol with a local language letter. The rupee symbol ‘₹’ is widely used across the country and is recognized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as the official symbol of the Indian currency. It is used in all financial transactions, including banking, trade, and commerce.
By replacing the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’, the TN government is attempting to assert its cultural identity and promote the use of the Tamil language. However, this move is seen as a step backward by many, who argue that it will create confusion and make financial transactions more complicated.
Moreover, the move is seen as a form of linguistic and cultural separatism, where the TN government is trying to detach itself from the rest of the country and promote its own unique identity. This is a dangerous trend, where regional identities are pitted against national identities, and where language and culture are used as a means to divide rather than unite.
The TN government’s decision is also seen as a response to the ongoing Hindi-Tamil row, which has been brewing for some time now. The row has seen several instances of violence and vandalism, with both sides accusing each other of attempting to impose their language and culture on others.
The BJP’s reaction to the TN government’s decision is a classic example of this divide-and-rule policy, where the party attempts to drive a wedge between different regions and communities. By terming the decision as “condemnable” and “laughable”, the BJP is attempting to create a sense of outrage and indignation among its supporters, and to portray the TN government as a regional and divisive force.
However, the TN government’s decision is not without its merits. The move is seen as a way to promote the use of the Tamil language and to assert the state’s cultural identity. It is also seen as a way to challenge the dominance of Hindi and to promote regional languages and cultures.
In conclusion, the TN government’s decision to replace the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ is a contentious issue that has sparked a heated debate. While the BJP’s reaction to the decision is condemnable and laughable, the move itself is a step backward and will create confusion and complications in financial transactions. The TN government must reconsider its decision and find a more constructive way to promote the use of the Tamil language and to assert the state’s cultural identity.
