Zoho’s messaging platform, Arattai, founded by entrepreneur Sridhar Vembu, has become the focus of a coordinated online smear and hate campaign. Critics have cited ideological reasons for opposing the Indian-developed app, targeting Vembu for his Tamil Brahmin heritage and labeling him as a “Sanghi,” used as a “slur” to denote anyone leaning to the “right” or supports the central government, in online discourse.
The opposition has raised privacy concerns despite Arattai hosting all data in India, providing call encryption, and planning chat encryption upgrades. Critics continue to rely on foreign messaging platforms like WhatsApp and X, which have experienced repeated privacy breaches, while disparaging Arattai as unsafe.
Several users have publicly declared they would refuse to use Zoho products, claiming the app is “a government trap to spy on everyone.” A post on X by user Ravi called the opposition a passing trend and suggested alternative platforms such as Signal, Session, or Telegram, warning against surrendering personal data to what he described as the “Sanghi ecosystem in the name of promoting Indian apps.”
However, observers point to extensive government and institutional usage of Zoho software in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government.
CM Helpline initiatives, including programs like “Ungaludan Stalin” and “Ungal Thogudhiyil Stalin” (Stalin in your constituency), reportedly use Zoho Desk to prepare reports on citizen complaints directly for the Chief Minister.
StartupTN, a government initiative promoting startups and incubators, uses Zoho Backstage for event registration and management. The platform allowed fast, efficient attendee check-ins by generating unique QR codes and enabling a single staff member to scan attendees in under a second using the Zoho mobile app.
Naan Mudhalvan, the Tamil Nadu Government’s skill development program, uses Zoho Backstage for training program management and deployment.
Training programs are also being offered for aspirants to build careers with Zoho:
ZOHO Junior Functional Analyst training under Naan Mudhalvan & TNSkill provides hands-on experience with CRM and Help Desk systems, business software deployment, and customization.
Starting salary for participants is reported to be ₹20,000+ per month, and candidates with any degree are eligible.
Despite online criticism, Arattai’s rising downloads suggest growing public acceptance of indigenous technology solutions based on merit rather than ideology. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in India’s tech ecosystem between foreign platform dependency, domestic innovation, and ideological polarization.
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