Tamil library faces probe over hundreds of suspected AI books
What's the story
The Periyar Arivulagam, a knowledge and science center library, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is at the center of a major controversy. The Madras High Court has directed an investigation into allegations that the library bought hundreds of books possibly generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The controversy was first raised by Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan, who flagged concerns over inaccurate information and questionable authorship in some of the books.
Court directive
HC directs anti-corruption agency to investigate purchases
The Madras High Court has ordered the state's anti-corruption agency to investigate the book purchases and freeze bank accounts linked to a publisher accused of supplying these books.
The Tamil Nadu government has blamed the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party-led administration for these controversial acquisitions. However, the DMK has denied these allegations.
AI controversy
School education minister calls it 'AI scam'
Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister A Rajmohan has termed the allegations as possibly "India's first AI scam."
He said the investigation would also cover purchases at other public libraries across the state.
This case has raised wider questions about the use of AI in publishing, where tools can generate entire books quickly and cheaply but also produce false information and invented references.
Authenticity issues
Controversy centers on recently inaugurated library
The controversy centers on the Periyar Arivulagam library, which was inaugurated on October 16 by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Novelist Murugan raised concerns after his visit last month, alleging that nearly 1,800 books in its Tamil section were supplied by a little-known publisher called Agal Vilakku Pathippagam.
He noted many of these books had unfamiliar authors' names, unusually high prices and questionable International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs).
Content concerns
Some of the books contain inaccurate information and questionable authorship
One of the disputed books, Naladiyar Vaazhvin Vazhikatti, was priced at ₹1,445 for 300 pages.
It describes Naladiyar as a Tamil poet and philosopher, although Naladiyar is a classical Tamil work consisting of 400 four-line verses on morality and ethics.
Another book incorrectly attributes the ancient Tamil poem Madurai Kanchi to an incorrect author.
It remains unclear whether AI was used to produce any of these disputed books.
Author dispute
Renowned economist Jean Dreze's name used without permission
Another public library in Madurai has a book titled Democracy and People's Rights in the Contemporary World, which names renowned economist Jean Dreze as its author.
However, Dreze denied writing the book, raising concerns that his name may have been used without his permission.
BBC Tamil visited the Chennai address listed by Agal Vilakku and another publisher, Phoenix Publishing House, but found no signs identifying either business.
Inquiry demands
Writers, academics, and publishers demand independent inquiry
The controversy has led writers, academics, and publishers to question how these books were selected for public libraries.
More than 160 such individuals have signed a joint statement demanding an independent inquiry, release of procurement records, and an audit of library collections across Tamil Nadu.
They have also demanded recovery of public money if funds were misused in this process.