More than 21 lakh books and publications have been scrutinised across Jammu and Kashmir as part of a government drive to identify literature containing what authorities describe as “objectionable and anti-national content”.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said that 4,767 books have so far been removed, or “weeded out”, from libraries and public institutions following the exercise.
The figures were presented in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday in response to a question raised by independent Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad.
Over 21 Lakh Books Scrutinised
According to the J&K Higher Education Department, a total of 21,81,582 books and publications have been examined so far.
The scrutiny is still underway, with officials saying the exercise could take more time to complete. Another 1,752 books have been referred to the Director Colleges, J&K, for expert examination.
The government said the exercise is based on what it described as “clear” and “objective criteria” to identify objectionable material.
“The purpose of the exercise is to ensure that higher-education institutions foster an environment based on constitutional values, academic freedom, critical thinking, scientific temper and responsible citizenship,” the Higher Education Department said.
However, the move has drawn criticism from Sheikh Khursheed, who described the removal of books as an attack on knowledge and historical memory.
“It’s a crackdown on knowledge. They are not just erasing our memory; they are now banning our books. They are trying to erase whatever is written about Kashmir,” Khursheed said.
He alleged that withdrawing books from libraries and educational institutions in the name of preventing “anti-national” content could distort the region’s history.
Crackdown Began After 2025 Police Raids
The wider scrutiny of books began after Jammu and Kashmir Police raided bookstores and libraries in Srinagar in February 2025 and seized 668 books.
Police had alleged that the books were being circulated to promote the ideology of the banned Jama’at-e-Islami.
In August 2025, the J&K Home Department declared 25 books forfeited and prohibited their publication, circulation and sale in the Union Territory. The government accused the books of promoting secessionism.
The list included works by writers and scholars such as A.G. Noorani, Arundhati Roy, Christopher Snedden and Sumantra Bose.
School Books Also Triggered Controversy
The scrutiny expanded following a controversy over two books supplied to government schools in Jammu and Kashmir.
The books, Personalities and Legends of Jammu and Kashmir and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, included references to figures such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Maqbool and Masrat Alam.
The administration objected to their inclusion and ordered an inquiry. Eight officials from the education department were subsequently suspended.
