📚 Periyar Arivulagam Books: Government Orders a Probe, Takes the Matter to Vigilance

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The Tamil Nadu government has ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the purchase of books for the Periyar Arivulagam — the ₹300 crore library and science centre in Gandhipuram, Coimbatore, that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay opened in October. Minister for School Education and Tamil Development Rajmohan Arumugam announced the probe in Chennai on 6 November 2026, and on 7 November he was reported to have filed a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

What Was Flagged

Tamil writer Perumal Murugan visited the library and raised concerns in an article on his website. He alleged that:

• About 1,800 books were bought from a single, little-known publisher with no proper address.
• Some books carried fake author names and fake ISBNs, and some appeared to have been made with AI.
• Books worth around ₹300–350 were bought for about ₹1,445–1,500 each.
• Some books had basic errors — one wrongly named the author of the Sangam work Maduraikkanji, and another passed off a picture of a Nandi as a sculpture found at Keezhadi.

He asked for an inquiry committee and for the books to be taken off the shelves.

The Government’s Response

• Minister Rajmohan confirmed that an inquiry has begun, and said the bulk purchase was made in February, under the previous government.
• He said more than 1,500 books came from a single publisher, and promised that anyone involved, whoever they are, would face the law.
• He asked the Vigilance department to look beyond Periyar Arivulagam and check earlier book purchases for other public libraries in Tamil Nadu as well.
• A departmental inquiry will also be held, and officials have been told to take more care with books bought for libraries in future.

These are allegations under investigation. No individual has been named or charged, and the findings are yet to come.