Published Nov 07, 2026 | 5:23 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 07, 2026 | 5:23 PM
The controversy over the procurement of books for Coimbatore's Periyar Arivulagam has escalated into a major political confrontation.
Synopsis: The Periyar Arivulagam book procurement controversy has escalated, with the TVK government accusing the previous DMK regime of procuring AI-generated books with fabricated content and questionable authorship. While the DMK has questioned the procurement and delivery timelines, the government has sought a DVAC probe and announced a special committee to inspect other government libraries.
The controversy over the procurement of books for Coimbatore’s Periyar Arivulagam has escalated into a major political confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), with both parties citing government documents and dates to support their respective claims.
The controversy erupted after Tamil writer and literary chronicler Perumal Murugan alleged that several books purchased for the newly inaugurated library contained fabricated historical information, questionable authorship, and potentially AI-generated content, with some publications priced disproportionately high.
While Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay accused the previous DMK government of procurement irregularities, the DMK has questioned whether the purchases were completed during its tenure, pointing to June 2026 date stamps on books published by two publishing houses.
The dispute has now centred on two competing timelines. The TVK has produced purchase orders dated 14 February and 26 February 2026 to argue that the procurement began during the DMK regime. The DMK, meanwhile, has cited events between May and August 2026, including the dates stamped on the books, to question when the publications were received, inspected and entered into the library.
On Saturday, 7 November, School Education Minister A Rajmohan accused the DMK of running an AI-generated book scam. He announced that a special committee would be formed to examine whether similar publications had been procured for other government libraries across Tamil Nadu.
The minister also approached the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Also Read: Perumal Murugan flags alleged irregularities in book procurement
The controversy came to light after Perumal Murugan examined the Tamil book collection at Periyar Arivulagam and published an article titled Periyar Arivulagathil Periya Oozhal (Major scam in Periyar Arivulagam) on the Tamil online platform Sindhai on 6 November.
He alleged that several books contained fundamental factual errors, questionable historical references and misleading information.
One publication he flagged was Naladiyar Vaazhvin Vazhikaati, authored by Surya Balu and priced at ₹1,445. The approximately 300-page book reportedly described Naladiyar as an individual Tamil poet and philosopher.
However, Naladiyar is a classical Tamil literary work comprising 400 verses, traditionally attributed to Jain ascetics.
Another publication, Madurai Kanchi Oru Ilakkiya Payanam, authored by Dev Nilan and priced at ₹1,395, allegedly contained incorrect information about the authorship of the Sangam literary work Madurai Kanchi, traditionally attributed to the poet Mangudi Maruthanar.
He also flagged Bharathiyar Kathaigal, questioning whether a story titled Sadhanaiyin Mugam, included in the publication, was genuinely written by Subramania Bharathiyar.
In another book, Keezhadi Seppum Varalaru, Murugan questioned the use of a photograph of a Nandi sculpture presented as an archaeological discovery from Keezhadi.
He further alleged that a publication titled Tamil Nadu Oru Paarvai contained fabricated historical references, including the mention of individuals whose identities and historical roles he questioned.
The examples raised concerns about the publications’ accuracy and the process by which they were selected for a major public library.
Beyond factual errors in individual books, Murugan raised concerns about the publishing houses and authors whose works reportedly made up a significant portion of the Tamil collection.
He identified nearly 1,800 books bearing the imprint of Agalvilakku Pathippagam on the library’s fourth floor. He also flagged more than 100 titles published by Phoenix Pathippagam.
Murugan questioned how such a large number of publications from publishers unfamiliar to him, despite his long experience in Tamil literature, had been selected for the library.
He also questioned the identities and credentials of several authors whose names appeared on the books, including Surya Balu, Dev Nilan, Manisha Saravanan, Jothi Hariharan, Dhanalakshmi Arjun, Trisha Vijay, Jothi Saravanan and Nivetha Anbalagan.
He suspected that some publications might have been produced using artificial intelligence, citing repetitive writing, grammatical errors, questionable historical details and poor-quality content.
Murugan also questioned International Standard Book Number (ISBN) numbers printed on certain publications, saying that some could not be verified through online searches. He questioned the absence of proper publisher contact information in some books.
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The procurement controversy stems from a Government Order issued during the previous DMK government.
On 5 November 2025, the then DMK government constituted a committee to recommend books for Periyar Arivulagam and other new libraries.
Murugan was among the members appointed to recommend books in categories including modern literature and literary criticism.
According to reports, the procurement process began in November 2025. The committee met in November and December to review and recommend books.
A separate committee to determine book prices was reportedly constituted in January 2026, and a selection meeting was held on 9 January.
The committee issued purchase orders on 2 February 2026, following the selection process. Purchase orders for Agalvilakku and Phoenix publications dated 14 February and 26 February 2026 have also featured in the political debate.
However, Murugan clarified that his responsibility was limited to recommending books. He said he reviewed titles sent to him online and submitted his recommendations, but was not informed of the final list of books purchased.
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As the controversy intensified, the TVK responded to the DMK’s questions by circulating documents relating to the procurement orders.
The TVK maintained that the DMK government issued purchase orders for books from Agalvilakku and Phoenix publications.
The party cited two important dates from the documents it shared:
The TVK argued that the documents established that the procurement orders were issued before it assumed office.
Chief Minister Vijay also referred to the 5 November 2025 Government Order constituting the book recommendation committee and accused the previous DMK government of allowing irregularities in selecting and purchasing books.
The TVK’s central argument is that the procurement orders were issued during the DMK’s tenure and that the previous government must therefore answer questions about the selection of publishers and books.
The TVK government further defended its position through a press conference held by School Education Minister A Rajmohan at the Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram, Chennai, on 7 November.
Displaying the purchase order issued to Agalvilakku Pathippagam on 14 February 2026, the minister said the publisher had been instructed to supply the books within seven days.
He argued that the document showed the procurement had begun under the previous DMK regime.
Responding to the DMK’s questions about the June date stamps on the books, Rajmohan said the publications arrived at the Periyar Arivulagam premises in about 40 batches.
The minister said the books were unpacked and displayed on the library shelves in June, and not when they were purchased.
He dismissed the DMK’s argument over the date stamps and accused the opposition of attempting to misrepresent the procurement timeline.
The minister also alleged that the committee had held meetings during November and December 2025 and that approvals were given under pressure from the DMK.
He specifically referred to the committee’s members and said that Dr J Jeyaranjan, former vice-chairperson of the state planning board, had signed the relevant documents.
Rajmohan further questioned the authorship of certain publications, claiming that some books carried names such as Pavithra Karunanidhi and Stalin as authors. He challenged those responsible to establish the identities and credentials of the people credited with writing the publications.
Rajmohan also alleged financial transactions linked to the procurement.
According to him, financial transactions relating to the books took place in March 2026, while pending payments were released after the Assembly election.
The minister alleged irregularities at multiple stages in the procurement process and questioned the previous government’s role in approving and purchasing the publications.
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The DMK rejected the TVK’s attempt to attribute the entire controversy to the previous government and questioned the timeline of the actual delivery and receipt of the books.
In a social media post, the DMK IT wing presented a series of dates that it said required explanation from the TVK government.
The party cited the following timeline:
May 31, 2026: Minister Aadhav Arjuna inspected the final-stage works at Periyar Arivulagam.
June 7, 2026: Minister Sampath spoke about the ongoing final-stage works at the institution.
June 22, 2026: Some books published by Agalvilakku carried a date stamp bearing this date, indicating their entry or receipt at Periyar Arivulagam, according to the DMK.
July 20, 2026: News reports indicated that the process of arranging books on the library shelves was underway.
August 22, 2026: Reports stated that around 80,000 books had been brought to the library and that it was being readied for opening.
The DMK questioned why the books from Agalvilakku and Phoenix alone carried June date stamps, while books from established publishers carried March date stamps.
It also asked the government to clarify whether the disputed books were purchased during the DMK regime but delivered after the change of government, or whether the procurement itself continued under the TVK administration.
The party demanded the disclosure of the complete procurement records, including the original purchase orders, the list of books recommended by the selection committee, delivery dates, inspection records and payment details.
The DMK argues that the present government cannot attribute full responsibility to its predecessor without accounting for actions taken after it assumed office.
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One of Rajmohan’s major announcements on 7 November was the government’s decision to constitute a special committee to examine whether similar publications had been procured for other government libraries in Tamil Nadu.
The minister alleged that AI-generated books containing fabricated information had also been prepared for supply to libraries in Tiruchirappalli, Salem and other districts.
He said the special committee would identify the libraries where such books were purchased and determine the extent of the alleged irregularities.
Rajmohan also announced that inspections would be conducted across government libraries, indicating that the exercise would extend beyond Periyar Arivulagam.
He instructed that the disputed books should not be removed or discarded immediately. Instead, they should be kept in their respective sections and preserved as evidence for the investigation.
The minister said the government would determine how much public money was spent on the publications and take steps to recover the amount.
He also warned that legal action would be initiated against those found responsible.
Rajmohan also demanded an unconditional apology from the DMK, particularly to students who use government libraries.
Apart from announcing the special committee, Rajmohan approached the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on 7 November to seek an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The minister alleged that around 1,500 to 1,800 questionable books from Agalvilakku Pathippagam had been procured and that several lakhs of rupees had already been paid, while some payments remained pending.
He also sought an examination of book procurement made for other government libraries across Tamil Nadu.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
