The Tamil Nadu government’s free laptop distribution scheme has triggered controversy after students began removing or covering the printed images of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi from the devices supplied under the programme.
The laptop distribution event was held on 5 January 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam, where Chief Minister Stalin formally launched the scheme and handed over laptops to students. The devices carry printed political branding on both the exterior and interior surfaces. On the upper surface, the laptops display Karunanidhi’s portrait and his signature along with the slogan “Tamil Will Win”, while Stalin’s photograph, signature, and the words “Tamil Nadu Will Win”, along with the Tamil Nadu state emblem also printed. Stalin’s portrait has additionally been placed near the mouse area on the device.
The use of political leaders’ images on government-funded welfare scheme products has become a major subject of public debate. During the earlier AIADMK regime, laptops distributed to students had carried Jayalalithaa’s image in the form of a sticker, which many students chose to remove. In the current scheme, instead of removable stickers, the DMK government has supplied laptops with directly printed images, making removal difficult. Students are now pasting stickers over the images to conceal them, and videos of this process are being widely shared on social media.
The laptops are being distributed under the Tamil Nadu government’s “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands) scheme, which aims to improve students’ technological knowledge and digital skills. Under the first phase of the scheme, 10 lakh students are being provided free laptops at a cost of approximately ₹2,000 crore. The laptops have been procured through the state-run ELCOT (Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation) from international brands including Acer, Dell, and HP.
However, the political branding on the devices has led to visible resistance from some students. Several students have been pouring thinner and other liquids to erase the images of Stalin and Karunanidhi. Others are scraping off the portraits using blades and sharp tools. Some students are covering the images with stickers of film actors (Vijay), actresses, Spider-Man, Avatar movie scenes, and other popular visuals. Many of these acts are being recorded on video and circulated widely on social media platforms.
DMK put Stalin & Karunanidhi pics on the laptops distributed with public funds
GenZ figured out a technique to erase their pics 🔥
They wanted to erase Dharma, GenZ will eventually erase DMKpic.twitter.com/8cJsNRvCTE
— Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) January 9, 2026
Following the spread of these videos, ELCOT issued a formal advisory to students and educational institutions. The corporation stated that all government-issued laptops come with a one-year comprehensive warranty, under which students are eligible for free repairs at designated service centres if any malfunction occurs.
However, ELCOT made it clear that to be eligible for warranty coverage, the Tamil Nadu government emblem and the photographs of the Chief Minister and former Chief Minister printed on the laptop must remain intact. If these images or symbols are erased, scratched out, or covered, the warranty will become invalid. The corporation also warned that all serial numbers on the laptops must remain visible and undamaged, or else warranty service will not be provided.
Source: KalkiOnline
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