Periyar Arivulagam library: What is the row over AI-generated books and fake authors?

The newly inaugurated Periyar Arivulagam (Periyar Library and Science Centre) in Coimbatore has landed in controversy over allegations of irregularities in the procurement of books, with questions being raised about AI-generated content, fictitious authors and inflated prices.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated the seven-acre facility in Gandhipuram on October 16. Planned and conceived during the previous DMK administration, the library was built at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore, including Rs 245 crore for the physical structure, Rs 50 crore for procuring physical books and Rs 5 crore for acquiring e-books.

What triggered the controversy?

The controversy began after renowned Tamil writer Perumal Murugan raised questions about the quality, authenticity and pricing of books procured for the newly inaugurated library.

In an article published on the Tamil literary portal Sindhai on November 6, titled Periyar Arivulagathil Periya Oozhal (Major Scam in Periyar Arivulagam), Murugan flagged what he described as serious irregularities in the library's Tamil book collection.

Murugan said he had counted nearly 1,800 books bearing the imprint of Agalvilakku Pathippagam on the library's fourth floor. He also identified more than 100 titles published by Phoenix Pathippagam.

According to Murugan, several books contained glaring historical and literary inaccuracies, while their authorship and publishing credentials were questionable.

He also alleged that some publications appeared to contain AI-generated content and questioned whether certain publishers had been established specifically to supply books to the library.

Murugan called for an independent investigation, the removal of questionable books from the shelves and legal action against those responsible.

Breakdown of the allegations

The allegations concern several aspects of the books, ranging from questionable authorship and historical inaccuracies to unusually high prices.

Some of the examples highlighted by Perumal Murugan include:

1. Misrepresentation of Naladiyar

One of the books flagged by Murugan was Naladiyar Vaazhvin Vazhkikatti (Naladiyar: A Guide to Life), attributed to an author named Surya Balu. The 300-page book carried a price tag of Rs 1,445.

Murugan questioned both its pricing and its contents. The book reportedly described Naladiyar as a Tamil poet and philosopher.

However, Naladiyar is actually an ancient Tamil literary work comprising 400 verses, traditionally attributed to Jain ascetics. It is not the name of an individual poet.

Murugan also said that comparable publications were available for approximately Rs 350.

2. A fictitious chief minister

Another book, Tamil Nadu Oru Paarvai (Tamil Nadu: An Overview), reportedly identified an individual named Muthuvelu Subbaiah Iyer as the first chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The claim was flagged as historically inaccurate.

3. Misattribution of literary works

Murugan also questioned the contents of a book titled Bharathiyar Kathaigal (Stories of Bharathiyar), which reportedly attributed a story called 'Sadhanaiyin Mugam' to Subramania Bharathi. He questioned the authenticity of the attribution.

4. Questionable archaeological information

In Keezhadi Cheppum Varalaru (The History Told by Keezhadi), Murugan flagged a photograph of a Nandi sculpture presented as an archaeological discovery from Keezhadi.

He questioned the authenticity of the image and its connection to the archaeological site.

5. Inflated prices and questionable publishing credentials

Murugan questioned why several books from unfamiliar publishers carried prices significantly higher than those of comparable publications.

He also raised concerns about ISBN numbers that could not be verified through online searches and the absence of adequate publisher contact information in some books.

Who is Trisha Vijay, and why has the name become controversial?

Trisha Vijay is among the names listed as an author of books reportedly procured for Periyar Arivulagam.

The name attracted attention because of its resemblance to the names of two prominent personalities in Tamil Nadu: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and actor Trisha Krishnan.

Other unfamiliar names identified in the disputed collection include Vijaya Balu, Jothi Saravanan, Jothi Hariharan, Thamarai Panneer and Rani Panneer.

According to India Today, these names were among those highlighted in connection with books whose authorship Murugan questioned.

The unusual author names have subsequently become a subject of political commentary, particularly on social media.

How did the book procurement process work?

The procurement process has become central to the controversy, as the responsibility for selecting, approving and purchasing the books is being disputed.

According to Chief Minister Vijay, the previous DMK government issued a Government Order on November 5, 2025, constituting a committee to recommend books for newly established libraries, including Periyar Arivulagam.

The committee included writers and literary figures, including Perumal Murugan, who was reportedly responsible for recommending modern literature and literary criticism.

However, an important distinction has emerged between recommending books and approving their eventual purchase.

In a report by Dinamani, writer S Tamilselvan, who was also part of the recommendation committee, said the committee had met approximately once.

He explained that members were subsequently asked to recommend books online, providing details such as the title, author's name and reasons for recommending each publication.

Tamilselvan said that once the recommendations were submitted, the committee members' responsibilities ended. He added that they were not subsequently informed about which books had actually been purchased.

This raises an important question: Did the books eventually procured by the library correspond to the titles recommended by the expert committee?

There are also questions about who approved the final procurement list, who selected the publishers and who verified the books before accepting them.

Why are the DMK and TVK blaming each other?

The controversy has triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Both parties have questioned the other's role in the procurement process.

Chief Minister Vijay has accused the previous DMK government of corruption in the procurement of books. He pointed to the November 5, 2025 Government Order that constituted the book recommendation committee and questioned the quality of the books selected under the previous administration.

School Education Minister A Rajmohan also alleged that approximately 1,500 books from Agalvilakku Pathippagam had been purchased in February 2026, during the DMK government's tenure.

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The minister questioned the publisher's credentials and said an investigation had been initiated into the purchases.

The DMK, meanwhile, has questioned the TVK government's account of the procurement timeline. Party representatives have pointed to date stamps on the disputed books, some of which reportedly carry June 22, 2026, as the date of procurement or processing.

This is significant because the DMK government left office in May 2026. The party has questioned whether the disputed books were actually purchased or received after the TVK assumed office.

DMK representatives have also pointed out that Perumal Murugan himself was part of the recommendation committee constituted under the previous government. They have questioned why the alleged irregularities were being raised only after the change of government.

How have political parties reacted to the controversy?

The allegations have drawn reactions from several political parties in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders demanding independent investigations and greater scrutiny of the books procured for Periyar Arivulagam.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a panel of Tamil scholars to identify and remove fake or unreliable books from the library.

Speaking to The Federal, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party wanted an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. The Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, the literary wing of the CPM, has also condemned the alleged scam.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary Veerapandian warned that historical and factual inaccuracies in books could mislead students, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan has also demanded a separate Commission of Inquiry. He described keeping books containing factual errors in public libraries as a grave injustice to the younger generation.

Other parties, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), have also sought investigations into the alleged irregularities.

What action has the Tamil Nadu government taken?

The Tamil Nadu government has announced an inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

School Education Minister A Rajmohan, who also handles the Tamil Development, Information and Publicity portfolios, said on November 6 that an investigation would be initiated immediately.

He alleged that approximately 1,500 books from Agalvilakku Pathippagam had been procured during the previous DMK administration and questioned the publisher's credentials.

On November 7, the minister filed a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), seeking an investigation into the procurement process.

According to The New Indian Express, Rajmohan said several lakhs of rupees had already been paid towards the purchases, while some payments remained pending.

The minister also indicated that the government would examine book procurement orders placed for other public libraries across Tamil Nadu.

He said questionable procurement orders would be cancelled. The government has maintained that those responsible for any established irregularities would face action. However, the outcome of the inquiry and the DVAC investigation is still awaited.