Politics · India · 3 hrs ago
Jean Drèze says book attributed to him in Tamil Nadu is fake
Economist Jean Drèze says he never wrote a book called “Democracy and Peoples Right in the Contemporary World,” which has been attributed to him.
The book was reportedly listed in some public libraries in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai’s Kalaignar Centenary Library.
A media report said the library obtained it from Phoenix Publishers and that it carries a valid International Standard Book Number.
The reported purchase date was June 25, 2023, before the library opened that July.
Drèze has urged the Tamil Nadu government to act against the publishers and others responsible, and said the book may have been generated by artificial intelligence.
He also questioned how a public library could acquire a book without checking whether it was genuine, raising concerns about library procurement checks.
Jean Drèze said a book attributed to him and reportedly found in Tamil Nadu public libraries is fake.
He said he had never authored the book, titled “Democracy and Peoples Right in the Contemporary World”.
Drèze urged the Tamil Nadu government to take strict and swift action against the publishers and others involved.
A media report said the book was listed at Madurai’s Kalaignar Centenary Library and was allegedly procured from Phoenix Publishers.
The report said the book carried a valid International Standard Book Number and that the publisher’s address matched that of Akal Vilakku Publishers.
- Who
- Economist Jean Drèze said the book attributed to him was fake.
- What
- A book listed as authored by Drèze was reported to be in some public libraries in Tamil Nadu. He said he had never written it.
- When
- Drèze made his statement on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- The book was reportedly listed at Madurai’s Kalaignar Centenary Library and allegedly found in some public libraries in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Drèze said he had never authored the book and urged the Tamil Nadu government to act against those responsible.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The date cited in the media report for the book’s procurement.
Madurai’s Kalaignar Centenary Library was inaugurated by then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Drèze said the book attributed to him was fake and called for strict and swift action.
- Author named in book
- Jean Drèze
- Book title
- Democracy and Peoples Right in the Contemporary World
- Reported library
- Kalaignar Centenary Library, Madurai
- Reported supplier
- Phoenix Publishers
- Reported procurement date
- June 25, 2023
- Library inauguration
- July 15, 2023
What people are saying
If this book exists under my name, it must be fake, because I have never authored such a book
It is important to stem the rot before it spreads, all the more so if this book was AI-generated
The issue is not just that a fake book was printed but also how it was procured by a public library.