SRINAGAR: Amid row over two books approved for government school libraries in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly glorifying militancy and separatism, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a comprehensive audit of educational institutions across the Union Territory.
The administration has already ordered an inquiry into the controversy, banned the authors of the two controversial books, suspended eight Education Department officials, withdrew printed material of the two authors from J&K and registered a police FIR.
The LG Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers and reviewed the action taken regarding the circulation of books and literature containing anti-national and separatist content in educational institutions.
The two controversial books are --- “Personalities and Legends of J&K” authored by Dr Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by by Jammu's Oberoi Book Service and “Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir" authored by Dr Suhant Giri and published by Delhi's Aurora Prakashan.
The books reportedly contain separate chapters on JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, who was executed in Delhi's Tihar Jail in 1984, jailed separatist leader Masarat Alam, and slain separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone besides late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq among others. The publications have also referred to Jammu and Kashmir as "Indian Held Kashmir" and "Indian Occupied Kashmir."
Taking serious note of the matter, LG Sinha today directed the concerned departments to put in place effective mechanism to ensure no procurement, distribution and availability of any publications including books, journals, magazines or any literature containing anti-national, separatist or objectionable content in the Universities, government and private colleges and schools, public and private libraries etc.
This would include the heads of these institutions affirming within specified period against availability of any such material in their respective institutions, apart from conduct of comprehensive audit and inspection thereof.
The Lieutenant Governor also instructed the authorities to examine the websites and digital repositories of universities and higher educational institutions and immediately remove any objectionable material, if any.
On the directions of the Lt Governor, the Education Department has already placed eight officials under suspension for showing serious lapses and negligence, which is unbecoming of government servants. The suspended officials include library coordinators, principals, academic officers and lecturers, who will remain attached with the School Education Department during the suspension period.
Ashwani Kumar, IBS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department has been appointed as Inquiry Officer to conduct an enquiry into the matter. The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit the report to the Competent Authority within 30 days.
The government has banned both the authors and publishers and blacklisted them in the Union Territory.
The printed material authored and published by them has been withdrawn from J&K.
In today’s meeting, LG directed the formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) governing the procurement of books and academic material for schools, colleges and universities.
The SoP, he said, should provide for a robust screening mechanism, including periodic random scrutiny by a panel comprising eminent educationists, intellectuals and senior officers, to ensure that no material promoting anti-national or separatist narratives enters educational institutions.
Sinha warned that any lapse would invite strict accountability, and the Head of the Institution concerned would be held personally responsible for the same.
The LG said educational institutions must remain centres of learning, nation-building and constitutional values, and there will be zero tolerance for any attempt to mislead or radicalise students through objectionable literature.
The administration has also reconstituted committees to conduct a fresh verification of all books procured under the Library Component (2025–26) for schools across the Union Territory.
Separate verification committees have been constituted for Jammu and Kashmir regions. The committees have been tasked with thoroughly re-verifying the content of books supplied by various publishers and ensuring that "not a single objectionable word lies in these books."
The committees have also been directed to ensure that the books promote constitutional values, national integration, scientific temper and balanced historical perspectives.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Counter Intelligence wing, CIK, has registered an FIR and conducted raids in connection with two controversial books allegedly glorifying separatists.
The case has been registered under Sections 49 (abetment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity, disharmony) and 353 (publishing, or circulating false statements, rumors or reports) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
All political parties including ruling NC, Congress and BJP have expressed strong objections over books glorifying separatist ideologies and demanded a thorough probe and punishment to the guilty.