Jammu and Kashmir School Library Books Refer to Region as 'India-Occupied Kashmir'; 8 Officials Suspended

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended eight education department officials after books found in government school libraries referred to the region as 'India-occupied Kashmir' and described a banned separatist leader as a 'martyr' (Shaheed). The discovery has sparked a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding the resignation of the state's education minister.

The books were detected during a routine inspection of school libraries in the Kashmir valley. Officials said the material, published by a private publisher, contained content that violated constitutional norms and promoted separatism. The administration has blacklisted the publisher and initiated a high-level inquiry to determine how the books entered the school system.

BJP leaders in the region have condemned the incident, calling it an attempt to 'brainwash' students with anti-national narratives. They have demanded strict action against those responsible, including the resignation of Education Minister Sakina Itoo. The ruling coalition, led by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Congress party, has defended the minister, stating that the matter is under investigation and that necessary steps have been taken.

This incident highlights the ongoing debate over educational content in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a politically sensitive region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Successive governments have emphasised the need to align school curricula with national integration. However, critics argue that the suspension of officials is being used to stifle dissent and that the books' content reflects some local perspectives on the region's history.

The inquiry is expected to submit its report within two weeks. Meanwhile, the suspended officials have been placed under departmental proceedings.