'Won't Be Intimidated': Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Alleges Verbal Threats After Targeting DMK Over Corruption

Published 26 June 2026 · politics

'Won't Be Intimidated': Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Alleges Verbal Threats After Targeting DMK Over Corruption Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 10:55 IST Praising

'Won't Be Intimidated': Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Alleges Verbal Threats After Targeting DMK Over Corruption Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 10:55 IST Praising the TVK-led administration for granting approvals swiftly, he contrasted the experience with what he described as difficulties faced under the previous dispensation. Rapid Read Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu (Credits: ANI) A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu after Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu reiterated allegations of widespread corruption during the DMK government’s tenure and claimed that supporters of the ruling party had issued verbal threats against him. In a post on X on Thursday, Vembu said criticism from what he described as the “DMK ecosystem" had prompted him to explain the basis of his allegations. He asserted that he would not be cowed down by attacks and said he did not require a character certificate from his political detractors. “I will not be intimidated by their attacks," Vembu wrote. 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 ‘Let Me State The Facts’: Vembu Responding to accusations that he fabricated a story to benefit the government led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay, Vembu said he was merely recounting his experiences.

“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," he wrote. Vembu alleged that a school run by the Kalaivani Kalvi Maiyam Trust had to shut down because officials demanded money to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC). According to him, the school’s founder, a retired IPS officer, refused to pay. “He told me that, as an honest retired officer, he did not have the money to pay, and the NOC would not be issued otherwise," Vembu said. 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 Approvals Came After Government Changed, Claims Vembu Vembu further claimed that his trust encountered similar hurdles while seeking approvals for new school buildings in Tenkasi. According to him, the project remained stalled during the DMK government’s tenure as approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) was not granted. “We waited patiently for DTCP approval for the new school buildings, but it never came while the DMK was in power. The approval came automatically once the government changed," he wrote.