India
DMK Calls for Independent Probe into Periyar Arivulagam Book Procurement
On Friday, November 6, 2026, the DMK demanded that an independent agency investigate allegations of irregularities in the procurement of books for the Periyar Arivulagam library in Coimbatore and that legal action be taken against those responsible. Author Perumal Murugan alleged that many books containing false information, published by little‑known authors, had been placed on the shelves of the newly opened library. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay blamed the former DMK government for the issue, while former Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan issued a statement highlighting that the DMK had introduced a “Transparent Book Procurement Policy.” He said that the policy was designed to ensure high‑quality books and transparency in library acquisitions. Chezhiaan also noted that during the previous DMK rule a book recommendation committee of respected authors and academics had been formed to oversee the selection of books for the Coimbatore library, and that Perumal Murugan himself had been a member of that committee. He questioned whether similar flaws had ever appeared in DMK‑initiated projects such as the Anna Centenary Library and the Kalaignar Centenary Library, and urged an independent probe. Chezhiaan suggested that the current controversy, emerging under the TVK regime, might have an ulterior motive or conspiracy, and called for the disclosure of the books’ backgrounds, authors, and authorized publishers. He insisted that an independent body conduct the investigation and that legal action be pursued against those involved in the alleged malpractice. The article was published on November 6, 2026 at 11:29 pm IST.