Corruption has become so normalised in public discourse that instances where a government introduces measures to eliminate bribery themselves become news. A similar development has now emerged in the TVK government regarding the renewal of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for private schools.
Recently, School Education Minister A. Rajmohan announced that the renewal of NOCs for private schools will henceforth be processed through an online portal to eliminate the scope for bribery. The TVK government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, stated that it has streamlined the NOC clearance process for educational institutions, ensuring that approvals are granted purely on merit and through a system free from graft.
இதுதான்டா திமுக pic.twitter.com/BKSd87PL6y
— 🌷மினி மோகன்🌷(மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@Mini52614198) June 24, 2026
Several office-bearers of private school associations have alleged that they paid bribes ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for NOC renewals during the 2021–2026 DMK regime.
One of the office-bearers of the association, KR Nandakumar, claimed the amount ranged from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
To lend credence to these allegations, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, on 24 June, alleged that he faced systemic delays and demands for “significant money” to secure approvals for a free school he runs in Tenkasi under the previous DMK government.
Our rural school Kalaivani Kalvi Maiyam, which provides completely free education to rural children, faced delays getting approvals from the previous government. Of course, significant money was demanded and we were told that was the only way, even if it is a completely free…
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) June 24, 2026
After his post went viral, both right-wing groups and TVK supporters amplified it. However, he faced rebukes from the DMK and its social media warriors.
We had nauseating, disgusting levels of corruption in Tamil Nadu under the DMK. This is known to the entire Universe, not some grand secret.
It reached such Himalayan heights, their own Finance Minister, someone not corrupt who was caught up with the corrupt crowd, was…
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) June 24, 2026
Vembu said: “The DMK ecosystem is attacking me, saying that the school issue I reported was a lie I concocted to help the TVK government. Let me state the facts. We run two rural schools, both free NIOS schools under the Kalaivani Kalvi Maiyam umbrella, one in rural Tenkasi and the other in rural Theni. The Theni school was originally started and run by a retired IPS officer, an honest and upright man. He built very nice facilities but had to shut down his CBSE school because the state government demanded too much money to issue the NOC. He told me that, as an honest retired officer, he did not have the money to pay and they would not issue the NOC otherwise. He urged us to take over his trust so we could run our free NIOS school on the premises. That is how we started our NIOS school in Theni….”
Vembu said: “If they (DMK) think I would back down because of their vile personal attacks, because I am a Brahmin or a TVK stooge or Sanghi or whatever, I will tell them this: unlike you dynasts, I grew up with nothing. I studied in Tamil-medium schools. I will not be intimidated by their attacks. I am unafraid of death; why would I be afraid of the mere DMK?”
The DMK ecosystem is attacking me that the school issue I reported was a lie I concocted to help the TVK government. Let me state the facts.
We run two rural schools, both free NIOS schools under the Kalaivani Kalvi Maiyam umbrella, one in rural Tenkasi and the other in rural…
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) June 25, 2026
In a TV debate, one of the speakers alleged that the total debt of Tamil Nadu is Rs 10,00,000 crore. Of this, 20% amounts to Rs 2,00,000 crore; DMK party fund – approx. Rs 1,00,000 crore; AIADMK party fund – approx. Rs 1,00,000 crore.
20% Party fund -Simple appox. Maths
TN கடன் – 10,00,000 கோடி
20% – 2,00,000 லட்சம் கோடிDMK Party Fund – சுமார் 1,00,000 கோடி
ADMK Party fund – சுமார் 1,00,000 கோடிஎதுக்குடா உங்களுக்கு இவ்வளவு பணம்😡@annamalai_k @ikkmurugan pic.twitter.com/vsav066MhY
— Saravanan (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@saravanan_Ind1) June 25, 2026
Sridhar Vembu said: “Another CBSE school leader opens up. She did not have my prominence, so the suffering inflicted on their school was much more. I encourage people who silently suffered the disgusting corruption of the DMK era to come out…”
Another CBSE School leader opens up. She did not have my prominence so the suffering inflicted on their school was much more.
I encourage people who silently suffered the disgusting corruption of the DMK era to come out.
We voted them out. Now let us tell the truth. https://t.co/4NmUHtG03U
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) June 25, 2026
One of the netizens said: “For the first time, the entire ecosystem is attacking the main Opposition party – DMK! The endorsement of the good work being done by the TVK government by Sridhar Vembu has completely shattered DMK and its support base. The icing on the cake was Sridhar Vembu calling out the nauseating and disgusting levels of corruption during the previous regime. When such powerful statements come from an eminent intellectual like him, they naturally carry credence and credibility.”
For the first time, the entire ecosystem is attacking the main Opposition party – DMK!
The endorsement of the good work being done by the @TVKPartyHQ government by @svembu has completely shattered @arivalayam and its support base.
The icing on the cake was @svembu calling out… https://t.co/stSajkmpDr pic.twitter.com/WPVnaOwQlY
— Praveen (@DrPraveenwrites) June 25, 2026
In another post, he said: “It is truly heartening to see an eminent intellectual and a living legend like @svembu openly speaking about the rampant corruption that existed during the previous DMK regime. Now he is being attacked by the DMK ecosystem for speaking out. If they do not have an answer, they attack. And if the person making the allegation is a Brahmin, the attacks become personal.”
Congratulations to Dr. Sridhar Vembu for exposing the nauseating and disgusting corruption culture of DMK!
It is truly heartening to see an eminent intellectual and a living legend like @svembu openly speaking about the rampant corruption that existed during the previous DMK… https://t.co/ncHCgXHSLJ pic.twitter.com/B5d9AlyCtp
— Praveen (@DrPraveenwrites) June 25, 2026
Lt Col. N. Thiagarajan, in a post, said: “When I exposed that the DMK government wanted a bribe for SIPCOT land allotment, many laughed at me and described it as making false accusations. But today, Sridhar Vembu’s statement proved my allegations right.”
SIPCOT நிலம் பெற முயன்ற போது முந்தைய ஆட்சியில் லஞ்சம் கேட்கப்பட்டது என்று நான் கூறியபோது, கடுமையாக விமர்சித்தார்கள், பொய் என்றும் சித்தரித்தார்கள்.
இன்று ஸ்ரீதர் வேம்பு அவர்கள் வெளிப்படையாக கூறியிருப்பது என்ன?
கிராமப்புற ஏழை குழந்தைகளுக்கு இலவச கல்வி வழங்கும் ஒரு பள்ளிக்கே… https://t.co/0zMpmhMUJ8
— Lt Col N Thiagarajan Veteran (@NTR_NationFirst) June 25, 2026
DMK supporters countered Vembu’s allegations by saying that he should produce evidence to substantiate his claims. They called it fake rhetoric. They also charged that it was a malicious campaign fuelled by the right wing. Vembu has rightly said: “Even the Marxists of Kerala, then allied with the DMK, would say how deeply corrupt the DMK was.”
Critics say: “DMK is known for its scientific way of carrying out corruption without getting caught. Seeking proof is a joke, and they know it cannot be produced. They do such things without leaving any evidence.”
