Libraries across Tamil Nadu are in the process of identifying and removing books procured from Agal Vilakku Publication and Phoenix following directives from the Madras High Court. This action comes in the wake of allegations of irregularities, including the procurement of potentially AI-generated content, fabricated author names, and inflated prices, casting a shadow over the state’s library book procurement practices.
Madras High Court’s Stern Warning Catalyzes Action
The swift action by libraries statewide is a direct response to a critical directive from the Madras High Court. The court’s observations, emphasizing the statutory duty to procure books in the public interest and warning against the acquisition of AI-generated or plagiarized works, have galvanized library authorities. The court’s stance underscored that such procurements could contravene the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules, 1950, and potentially lead to libraries meeting a fate akin to the destroyed Library of Alexandria if not managed judiciously.
Extensive Removals Underway Across Major Libraries
In Chennai, the Anna Centenary Library has instructed its staff to complete the identification and removal of questionable books within a two-day timeframe. While the exact number of affected volumes is still being ascertained, librarians are committed to segregating all suspect books before the stipulated deadline. Similarly, the historic Connemara Public Library in Chennai has already removed 523 books, which were reportedly received for free under the District Libraries Act, 1954. Librarians are conducting thorough checks to identify any further discrepancies and are awaiting communication regarding the handover of these removed books to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). In Coimbatore, the Periyar Arivulagam library has taken approximately 1,800 books out of public access. These books, primarily from the Tamil, fourth-floor section, and English sections on the fifth and sixth floors, will be sent for inquiry or secured locally. The Nilgiris district library officer reported that work is nearing completion in the region’s 104 libraries, with the remaining removals expected by Thursday, given the state government’s three-day deadline. Most of the identified books were published by Phoenix, procured last year, while 669 books from Agal Vilakku, received this year, were still in cartons.
Investigation Into Alleged Irregularities Deepens
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has launched a detailed inquiry into the alleged irregularities in book procurement for government libraries. The investigation follows a complaint from School Education Minister A. Rajmohan, who accused the previous DMK government of financial improprieties in purchasing books for the Periyar Arivulagam library. The minister alleged that thousands of substandard books, featuring AI-generated content, invented author names, and factual errors, were acquired at inflated prices. DVAC officials have inspected procurement documents at the Anna Centenary Library and Periyar Arivulagam, scrutinizing financial transactions and accounts. The controversy initially surfaced when Tamil writer Perumal Murugan raised concerns about the quality and authenticity of books at the Coimbatore library, pointing out factual inaccuracies in classical Tamil literature and questioning the credentials of authors and publishers. He highlighted that nearly 1,800 books published by Agal Vilakku Pathippagam were stocked, with some priced excessively. The authenticity of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) on these publications has also been questioned. Records indicate that a government order in November 2025 constituted a committee to recommend books, with a final selection made in January 2026. A purchase order for 60,266 books was issued in February 2026, and the DVAC investigation aims to scrutinize this entire process, including pricing, payments, publishers, and potential diversion of public funds.
Government Pledges Transparency and Policy Reform
In response to the burgeoning scandal, the Tamil Nadu government has pledged to cancel all pending book procurement orders, including those destined for the Kamarajar Grand Library in Tiruchy. Minister A. Rajmohan announced that the department would consult with scholars and the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) to formulate a transparent book procurement policy. This initiative aims to prevent future irregularities and ensure accountability in the acquisition of library materials. The investigation is expected to extend to the publishers involved, with Agal Vilakku Publications and its proprietor being specifically named in preliminary reports. The government has also indicated that no individuals found responsible for the alleged corruption will be spared, emphasizing that such malpractices, especially when linked to institutions named after public figures like Periyar, will not be condoned.
The Chenab Times News Desk
