Politics
Periyar Knowledge Centre in Coimbatore Sparks Corruption Allegations and Party Back‑and‑Forth
A controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu after writer and Sahitya Akademi awardee Perumal Murugan posted on the digital literary platform Sindhai that the new Periyar Arivulagam (Periyar Knowledge Centre) in Coimbatore, built at a cost of ₹300 crore, may have been the site of a book‑procurement scam. Murugan, who had served on a committee that recommended modern literature for the library, said that the centre’s collection includes about 1,800 books from an unfamiliar publisher, some of which he described as unfamiliar and overpriced. He also alleged that many books remain unopened, that they may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and that author names could be fake. He called for an enquiry commission and for the details of those involved to be made public.
The centre was inaugurated on 16 October by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In response to Murugan’s accusations, Vijay blamed the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for the alleged corruption, saying the DMK had “exposed” the corruption and that the book‑procurement scam was evidence of DMK rule. He also praised Murugan for exposing the corruption.
DMK leader and former minister Govi Chezhiyan countered that TVK was exploiting the allegations for political gain. Chezhiyan demanded a transparent, independent investigation and questioned whether similar flaws had appeared in DMK‑initiated projects such as the Anna Centenary Library and the Kalaignar Centenary Library.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee also weighed in. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy called the procurement a “clear misuse of funds” and urged a full investigation. Congress President B. Manickam Tagore demanded a comprehensive inquiry and the arrest of those involved.
The dispute highlights the political rivalry between TVK and DMK over the management of public projects and the handling of alleged corruption in Tamil Nadu’s library system.
Frequently asked questions
What was the cost of building the Periyar Knowledge Centre?
₹300 crore.
When was the Periyar Knowledge Centre inaugurated?
16 October.
Who raised allegations of a book‑procurement scam at the centre?
Perumal Murugan.