Rajya Sabha Member Kamal Haasan. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM After writer Perumal Murugan wrote about alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for Periyar Arivulagam, a newly inaugurated public library in Coimbatore, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and Rajya Sabha Member Kamal Haasan said on Friday that “there can be no greater disgrace to the Tamil language than this”.He pointed out that books containing fabricated information could cause immense damage in the long run.

In a statement, he said the reputation of Tamil language would be irreparably damaged if people read, took notes, and incorporated the contents of (fabricated books) into speeches, written works, and research.“Whoever is responsible for this has betrayed the Tamil language. I urge the Government of Tamil Nadu to immediately withdraw these fake books from all libraries and have them dumped on the streets and burnt.

The publishing houses responsible for this must be sealed. We owe a debt of gratitude to writer Mr.

Murugan for exposing this fraud,” Mr. Haasan said.‘Shock and concern’Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president and MLA M.H.

Jawahirullah said allegations raised by Mr. Murugan had caused considerable shock and concern.

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president M.H. Jawahirullah. | Photo Credit: B.

VELANKANNI RAJ He said: “It has come to light that 1,800 books published under the name of a publishing house called Akalvilakku Publications have been procured and placed on the library’s fourth floor. This publishing house, which is unfamiliar to serious readers, has raised suspicions that it may have been established specifically to supply books to the library.

Furthermore, Mr. Murugan has alleged that books were produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, without the proper application of technical expertise; that the authors’ names are either pseudonyms or fictitious; that the International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) mentioned in the books cannot be found when checked online; and that the publisher’s address also appears to be unreliable,” he said.Mr.

Jawahirullah said, “An independent committee must be constituted to examine all books procured for the Periyar Arivulagam to date, including their publishers, authors, ISBNs, and pricing details, and a thorough inquiry must be conducted into the registration, addresses, owners, and activities of the suspicious publishing houses, including Agal Vilakku Publications.”‘DMK govt. steeped in corruption’Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore alleged: “Everyone knows that the DMK government was replete with enormous corruption.

No scheme was devoid of corruption. If there has been this level of corruption in the procurement of books, it is scary to think how much corruption would have been there in the construction of the building.

The Tamil Nadu government should order an investigation.” TNCC president B. Manickam Tagore. | Photo Credit: B.

JOTHI RAMALINGAM He added that all the books kept in Periyar Arivulagam should be audited and fabricated books should be removed. ‘Investigate allegations’PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the State government to investigate the allegations of corruption that have surfaced in the procurement of book for the public library, which was established by the DMK government. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss. | Photo Credit: S.

SIVA SARAVANAN In a statement, he said: “Corruption in matters relating to education and libraries, particularly in the procurement of books intended to promote knowledge, is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be condoned.”He said Mr. Murugan had alleged that 1,800 books had been purchased under the name of a virtually unknown publisher and also pointed out that while other publishers sold copies of the Naladiyar for ₹350, a 300-page book titled Naladiyar: Vazhvin Vazhikatti (Naladiyar: A Guide to Life) was purchased for ₹1,445. “School Education Minister Rajmohan has seconded these allegations,” he said.Dr.

Anbumani added: “I urge the government to order an investigation by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption into the alleged corruption in the procurement of books for the Periyar Arivulagam.” We The Leaders founder K. Annamalai. | Photo Credit: S.

SIVA SARAVANAN We The Leaders movement founder K. Annamalai on Friday called for an investigation into allegations of irregularities in the procurement of books for Periyar Arivulagam.He asked what was the list of books recommended to be procured for this library and if they were purchased. “A library is not merely a building.

It is a treasure for students from economically-weaker sections, who have been preparing for competitive examinations,” he said. AMMK founder T.T.V.

Dhinakaran. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK In a social media post, AMMK founder T.T.V.

Dhinakaran urged the TVK-led government to undertake an audit of libraries across the State and remove ‘fake books’, if any. Referring to the allegations surrounding Periyar Arivulagam, he questioned how were those books procured and who authorised it.

Published - November 07, 2026 12:53 am IST