Jammu and Kashmir police search publisher after school library books found to contain separatist content
The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn two books from school libraries after they were found to contain what officials describe as “highly inappropriate content” related to separatism. The counter-intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police subsequently carried out searches at the Jammu premises of the publisher of one of the books, following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo described the matter as “unfortunate” and stated that it appeared to be a “deliberate conspiracy”. She said strict action would be taken against those responsible for supplying such books to schools. “Suspension orders have been issued and an enquiry ordered into the matter,” she added.
The order also blacklisted the authors and their publishing houses from publishing any other material in the Union Territory. The action has been taken under the powers vested in the state education department to ensure that school curricula align with constitutional values and do not promote divisive content.
The development has sparked a debate about the monitoring of educational materials and the boundaries of free expression in academic contexts. While the government maintains that the books glorified separatist ideologies, critics have raised concerns about potential overreach and the stifling of dissenting views.
Further investigations are ongoing, and the police have not yet revealed specific details about the content that led to the action. The education department has assured that all future publications will be thoroughly vetted before inclusion in school libraries.
