A recent op-ed published in The Hindu, credited to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, has sparked widespread debate online, with netizens questioning whether the DMK leader personally authored the piece or if it was drafted by someone else.
The article, titled “Applying the Dravidian Algorithm to Sports,” praises the MK Stalin-led government’s policies for developing what it calls a “Dravidian Model for Sports.” Udhayanidhi’s post on X promoting the piece read: “I have written in The Hindu about how the Tamil Nadu Government under the leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru @mkstalin avargal has built a #DravidianModel for sports.”
I have written in @the_hindu about how the Tamil Nadu Government under the leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru @mkstalin avargal, has built a #DravidianModel for sports.
‘Applying the Dravidian algorithm to sports’https://t.co/pewqsGXIXR@SportsTN_ pic.twitter.com/lZgkswqj7m
— Udhay – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@Udhaystalin) November 10, 2025
However, soon after the article was published, several users took to social media asking whether Udhayanidhi had personally written the detailed policy essay, or whether it was ghostwritten by bureaucrats or PR professionals.
The Article and Its Key Claims
In the piece, Udhayanidhi recounts Tamil Nadu’s recent sporting achievements and government initiatives. He cites stories such as that of Manoj, a para-athlete from Madurai who, according to the article, rose from a modest background to win international medals after receiving financial assistance from the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation.
He attributes such success to what he calls the “Dravidian Algorithm”, claiming that the government has expanded access to sports infrastructure, scholarships, and science-backed training, especially for rural and para-athletes.
The article lists an array of statistics:
- Tamil Nadu’s medal tally in the National Games rose from 77 in 2023 to 92 in 2025, a 20% increase.
- The government’s sports budget allocation jumped from ₹800 crore (2016–21) to ₹1,945 crore over the past five years, a 143% increase.
- 28 new sports complexes and synthetic tracks in six towns have been built, with 60% of projects in tier-II and tier-III towns.
- 4,617 athletes received incentives worth ₹152 crore, quadruple the previous decade’s total.
- Under the ELITE and Mission International Medal Schemes, top athletes like chess prodigies R. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh now receive up to ₹30 lakh a year.
The article also highlighted the introduction of the Chief Minister’s Trophy Games, expansion of para-sports infrastructure, and creation of AI-based talent scouting systems.
“Did He Really Write It?” – The Social Media Buzz
While the piece was positioned as a personal reflection, several users questioned the likelihood that the Deputy CM, known more for his political rhetoric and film background, had authored the detailed policy-heavy article. Here are some reactions:
Elaam okay “I have written” dhan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/q4XXFW7oGq
— Varsha (@VarshaDRaman) November 10, 2025
The Hindu editor :
இந்த பாட்டை நீர் தான் எழுதினீரோ..?“நான் தான் எழுதினேன்..இல்லாமல், கோவிலில் யாரோ எழுதிக் கொடுத்ததையா எடுத்து வந்திருக்கிறேன்..?
🤣😂😅 pic.twitter.com/VKpGOhN73S
— Rajaram (@Rajaram93584674) November 10, 2025
I have written ??? pic.twitter.com/xlGePxQmRc
— Kars (@Kars0211) November 10, 2025
பேரு என்னோடது தான்🤡
ஆனா, இந்த Content என்னோடது இல்ல🤦🤷 pic.twitter.com/LScaWYwAeI
— SJ SUDHAKARAN (@SJ_SUDHAKARAN) November 10, 2025
How can you claim authorship when you are incapable of putting two sentences together, @Udhaystalin https://t.co/v8AlyBgfVP
— Rajan For @Congress (@Rajan141245) November 11, 2025
I have written// https://t.co/OSIy0EHK3x pic.twitter.com/UlwKbJY7wJ
— Sakthi (@sakthimns_) November 10, 2025
“I have written” …😀😀😀. Yes,we believe you! https://t.co/AaleLhqRAV
— Don Alea-Anima (@Biotecher8) November 10, 2025
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