> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Errors alleged in Periyar Library books in Tamil Nadu amid TVK-DMK row - URL: https://newsanek.com/periyar-library-book-authorship-dispute/ - Published: 2026-11-07T10:31:15.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-07T11:20:16.000Z - Description: Writer Perumal Murugan has flagged wrong facts in several books at the library. The DMK has questioned some authors and the publisher chosen for the purchase. Both parties are now locked in a political row. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: Politics, Tamil Nadu, Explainer, #sub-politics, #state-tamil-nadu, #national-desk A new library in Coimbatore is now at the centre of a political row in Tamil Nadu. The library is called Periyar Arivulagam, and it was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The library was a dream project of the previous DMK government. Writer Perumal Murugan visited it and went through the books on its racks. He has since alleged serious irregularities in how those books were bought. ### Key points - Writer Perumal Murugan flagged factual errors in books at Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore. - One book names a first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that the official record does not support. - The DMK and TVK are in a dispute over the book purchase. - It is still unclear when the books were bought or who approved them. ## What did one book get wrong? Times Now reported this. The book Tamil Nadu Oru Paarvai, written by Dhanalakshmi Arjun, is on the library shelves. It names Muthuvelu Subbaiah Iyer as the first Chief Minister when India became independent in 1947. The record says otherwise. When India became independent, the Premier of Madras was O.P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar, who had taken charge in March 1947. K. Kamaraj did serve from 1954 to 1963, but he succeeded C. Rajagopalachari. Dates cited in the book row 1. **March 1947**O.P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar takes charge as Premier of Madras, per the record cited by Murugan. 2. **1947**Book names Muthuvelu Subbaiah Iyer as first Chief Minister at Independence; the record says otherwise. 3. **1954 to 1963**K. Kamaraj serves as Chief Minister, succeeding C. Rajagopalachari. Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report ## Were other books wrong too? Murugan pointed to other titles as well. One book, Bharathiyar Kathaikal, names Manisha Saravanan as its author. He said it is not clear whether it is a collection of Bharathiyar's stories or a book about them. Another book describes Naladiyar as a philosopher. But Naladiyar is a collection of verses linked to a group of Jain monks whose names are not known. Murugan said he had taught Tamil for 30 years and never thought of it that way. A minister also questioned a book on Keeladi. It carried photographs said to show excavation statues. The minister said the pictures were taken from Google, and that no Nandi statue was found at Keeladi. ## What is the political side of this row? India Today reported that the TVK and DMK are in a dispute over the book procurement. The DMK challenged the authenticity of some authors, particularly Trisha Vijay. It also criticised the choice of publisher Sigma Printers. The DMK also made allegations about possible links to the Chief Minister's son. It pointed to the timing of the procurement seal, which it said coincided with Vijay's birthday. These are allegations, and no finding has been reported. So what happens next? Murugan has said it is for the government to clarify. Until then, it is still unclear when the books were bought or who approved the purchase. Explainer ### What happened before - The Periyar Arivulagam library in Coimbatore was a dream project of the previous DMK government. - The library was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. - Writer Perumal Murugan visited the library and has alleged serious irregularities in how its books were bought. ### Why it matters The row raises questions about how books for a public library are chosen, bought and checked for accuracy. ### What to watch next - It is still not clear when the books were bought or who approved the purchase. - Murugan said it is for the government to come out with a clarification. --- ### Sources - [India Today: Political tension rises over Periyar Library book procurement amid disputed authorship](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/political-controversy-over-book-procurement-for-periyar-library-ytvd-3034366-2026-11-07?ref=newsanek.com) - [Times Now: Did A Book Get Tamil Nadu's Political History Wrong? Writer Perumal Murugan Flags Errors In Library Collection](https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/books/did-a-book-get-tamil-nadus-political-history-wrong-writer-perumal-murugan-flags-errors-in-library-collection-article-156478535?ref=newsanek.com)