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Tamil Nadu Minister A. Rajmohan has accused the previous DMK government of irregularities involving AI-generated library books.
What Are the Allegations Against the Previous Government?
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister A. Rajmohan has alleged that the previous DMK government procured poor-quality books containing fabricated information and objectionable material for the Periyar Arivulagam library in Coimbatore. Describing the controversy as India’s first artificial intelligence scam, he claimed that books attributed to fictitious authors were purchased through questionable procurement procedures.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Rajmohan alleged that thousands of books were purchased from a single publisher, Agal Vilakku Pathippagam. He said a purchase order was issued on February 14, 2026, requiring delivery within seven days, while payments were released in March. He cited fabricated author names, including Thamarai Murali, Kamalambal Karunanidhi and Trisha Vijay, and alleged that some books contained absurd descriptions of established Tamil literary works.
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How Were the Alleged Irregularities Discovered?
The controversy emerged after Tamil writer Perumal Murugan, a member of the 137-member book recommendation committee, questioned the procurement process in an article published on November 6. Murugan raised concerns over the purchase of nearly 1,800 books from Agal Vilakku, including several reportedly priced at ₹1,400 or more.
Among the examples cited was Naladiyar Vaazhvin Vazhikaatu, priced at ₹1,445, which allegedly described Naladiyar as a Tamil poet and philosopher rather than a collection of verses attributed to Jain monks. Murugan also identified factual errors in other publications and questioned books supplied by Phoenix Publishers that appeared to contain AI-generated material. He alleged that some books ordinarily priced between ₹250 and ₹300 were supplied to the library for more than ₹1,500.
Does the Controversy Extend Beyond Coimbatore?
Rajmohan claimed that similar purchases involving AI-generated books were planned for public libraries in Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Cuddalore and Tirunelveli. He alleged proposed expenditure of ₹50 crore for each library, alongside ₹5 crore for online books, and questioned the approval process followed by the previous administration.
According to the minister, a committee meeting was held in November last year, followed by another in January, when 112 of its 137 members participated and approved purchases. He alleged that approvals were obtained under government pressure. The Tamil Nadu government has lodged a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption and announced a special committee to examine procurement at other libraries, including Kamarajar, Anna and Kalaignar Centenary libraries.
How Has the DMK Responded to the Allegations?
The DMK rejected the accusations, with party leader I. Paranthamen describing them as a politically motivated narrative intended to divert attention from the Vijay-led government’s administrative failures. He questioned why the disputed books had not been withdrawn if their contents were objectionable and demanded publication of purchase orders, banking transactions and committee recommendations. He also pointed to library stamps dated June 2026, questioning whether those books could be attributed to purchases under the previous government.
Paranthamen maintained that the DMK administration had introduced an online procurement policy in 2024 involving expert panels and called for a transparent investigation. BJP leader K. Annamalai demanded an independent inquiry and disclosure of procurement records, while Congress leader Manickam Tagore sought an audit of books purchased by libraries across Tamil Nadu during the DMK government’s tenure.
