Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has strongly defended his allegations of corruption in school approval processes under the previous DMK government, claiming he faced harassment and delays while trying to run and expand free schools in Tamil Nadu. According to Vembu's post on X, the DMK ecosystem is attacking him, suggesting his school issue was a fabricated lie to help the current TVK government. Vembu responded by stating he would 'state the facts' to counter these allegations and declared he 'will not be intimidated by their attacks', adding that he did not require a certificate from political opponents regarding his character.
According to Vembu's statements, the Kalaivani Kalvi Maiyam trust operates two free NIOS schools in rural Tenkasi and Theni. The founder of the Theni school, described as a retired IPS officer, allegedly faced significant challenges when authorities demanded money to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a CBSE institution. As reported by Vembu, the retired officer told him he did not have the money to pay and authorities would not issue the NOC otherwise. Vembu stated that 'he told me that as a honest retired officer he did not have the money to pay and they would not issue the NOC otherwise'.
Vembu alleged that his trust encountered difficulties obtaining approvals for new school infrastructure in Tenkasi. According to his post, these delays and alleged demands for money occurred under the previous DMK government regime. The Zoho founder claimed that approvals moved faster after the change in regime, suggesting improved processes under the current administration. Vembu wrote that 'we waited patiently for DTCP approval for the new school buildings but the approval never came as long as the DMK was in power. The approval came automatically once the government changed'.
The controversy has gained attention amid claims by the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay that it has streamlined the NOC approval process for educational institutions. School Education Minister A Rajmohan recently announced that NOC renewals for private schools would be processed through an online portal aimed at eliminating opportunities for graft. Several private school association office-bearers have also alleged that bribes ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh were sought for NOC renewals during the 2021–2026 DMK regime. Vembu publicly welcomed these changes, stating that 'not only did the approvals come, government people told us not to pay money to anyone for any approvals. I have to appreciate this in public, having endured what we had endured before'.
