Murugan said he found around 1,800 books published by Agal Vilakku: The wider industry impact

Perumal Murugan highlighted multiple issues in books at Coimbatore’s Periyar Arivulagam library during its recent inauguration.

COIMBATORE/CHENNAI: Acclaimed Tamil writer Perumal Murugan has alleged that hundreds of books stocked at Coimbatore’s Rs 300-crore Periyar Arivulagam contain factual errors, questionable authorship and inflated pricing, raising concerns over possible AI-generated publications and irregularities in the library’s book procurement process. Murugan said he found around 1,800 books published by Agal Vilakku Pathippagam in the newly inaugurated library’s fourth-floor Tamil section. He questioned the authenticity of the authors, the high prices of the books and the validity of the ISBN numbers printed on them. He cited Naladiyar Vazhvin Vazhikatti, credited to Surya Balu, a 300-page book priced at Rs 1,445, far higher than the roughly Rs 350 cost of comparable titles. The book incorrectly describes Naladiyar as a Tamil poet and philosopher, although Naladiyar is a collection of 400 verses traditionally attributed to Jain ascetics. Acclaimed Tamil writer Perumal Murugan flagged alleged factual errors, questionable authorship and inflated prices in books stocked at Coimbatore’s Rs 300-crore Periyar Arivulagam.

1. He questioned the authenticity of the authors, unusually high book prices and the validity of ISBN numbers printed on the publications.
2. The book Naladiyar Vazhvin Vazhikatti, credited to Surya Balu, is priced at Rs 1,445 for 300 pages, compared with around Rs 350 for similar books.
3. The book incorrectly describes Naladiyar as a Tamil poet and philosopher, whereas it is a collection of 400 verses traditionally attributed to Jain ascetics.
4. In Tamil Nadu Oru Paarvai, credited to Dhanalakshmi Arjun, Muthuvelu Subbaiah Iyer is wrongly identified as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister in 1947.
5. Murugan also flagged more than 100 books published by Phoenix Pathippagam, raising further concerns over the procurement process.
6. Both Agal Vilakku Pathippagam and Phoenix Pathippagam reportedly share the same address, while several books carry seals dated June.
7. School Education Minister A Rajmohan criticised the inaccuracies and alleged corruption in the procurement process under the previous DMK government.
8. The minister said procurement began in November 2025, with the purchase committee meeting on January 24, 2026. An inquiry has begun, and those found guilty will be brought to justice. In Tamil Nadu Oru Paarvai , credited to Dhanalakshmi Arjun, a person identified as Muthuvelu Subbaiah Iyer is wrongly described as the state’s CM in 1947. Murugan also flagged more than 100 books published by Phoenix Pathippagam. Adding to the suspicion, both the publishing houses reportedly share the same address, while several books carry seals dated June. School education minister A Rajmohan criticised the inaccuracies. Alleging corruption in the procurement process under the previous DMK govt, he said the procurement began in Nov 2025 and the purchase committee met on Jan 24, 2026. “Inquiry has begun. Guilty will be brought to justice,” the minister said.

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