Now Reading: Tamil Nadu minister calls library book row ‘India’s first AI scam’
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Tamil Nadu minister calls library book row ‘India’s first AI scam’
The Story in Brief
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister A Rajmohan has alleged that books procured for the state’s public libraries during the previous DMK regime were generated using AI tools, contained factual errors and bore fabricated author names, calling it ‘India’s first AI scam’. Sahitya Akademi awardee Perumal Murugan first flagged the irregularities, including a book priced at Rs 250 carrying a tag above Rs 1,500. The DMK has denied the charges and demanded the government release official records of the purchases.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption raided the Anna Centenary Library on Tuesday, 10 November, after the minister filed a complaint. Rajmohan said 523 books from one publisher were stocked at Connemara Library alone, with purchases dating to 2025. He announced the cancellation of pending orders and the removal of questionable books from public libraries. A library association claimed old-edition books were supplied at new-edition prices under orders placed in 2025. The controversy has sparked a political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK.
Update, 10 November 2026: Mid-Day and DT Next now report that the minister specifically named Akal Vilakku Publications and alleged the racket predates the TVK government. DT Next quotes the minister saying the DVAC investigation has begun and that a separate committee may be formed. Deccan Chronicle confirms the DVAC raid on the Anna Centenary Library on Tuesday, 10 November, led by DSP Kandasamy.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Nearly all six sources report the same core facts: Minister Rajmohan’s allegations of AI-generated books, the DMK’s denial and demand for records, and Perumal Murugan’s role in flagging the problem. The Hindu adds a fresh, granular detail, a library association’s claim that old-edition books from 2010 to 2019 were supplied at new-edition prices under orders placed in 2025, which no other outlet picks up. Business Today frames the row as a ‘political showdown’ and mentions Kamal Haasan’s demand for action, while mid-day, CNBC-TV18, and Deccan Chronicle stay close to wire copy. DT Next is the only source to quote the minister naming the publisher (Akal Vilakku Publications) and alleging that the racket predates the TVK government. The uniform coverage supports the minister’s allegations, the DMK’s denial is reported but not explored with sourcing. The DVAC raid on 10 November is the next concrete step.
Coverage: 6 sources, 6 neutral
Sources (6): cnbctv18.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (neutral report), dtnext.in (neutral report), deccanchronicle.com (neutral report), businesstoday.in (neutral report), mid-day.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
