Srinagar: Twenty-five books, including those of Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy and British Victoria Schofield, have been banned in Jammu & Kashmir.
The directive was issued by Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, as these books “promote false narratives and glorifying terrorism.”
The banned books include ‘Azadi’ by Roy, ‘Al Jihadul fil Islam’ by Islamic scholar and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami Moulana Moudadi, ‘Independent Kashmir’ by Australian author Christopher Snedden, ‘In Search of a Future (The Story of Kasimir)’ by David Devadas, ‘Kashmir in Conflict (India, Pakistan and the unending War)’ by Briton Schofield, ‘The Kashmir Dispute (1947-2012)’ by lawyer and scholar A G Noorani.
According to the Home Department, “certain literature propagates false narrative and secessionism in the Jammu and Kashmir”, which would “deeply impact the psyche of youth by promoting culture of grievance, victim hood and terrorist heroism” and plays a critical role in “misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence” against India.
Available evidence, based on investigations and credible intelligence, “unflinchingly indicate” that a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism has been the “systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often disguised as historical or political commentary.”
“Some of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalisation of youth in J&K include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalisation, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism etc.,” the order stated.
In this context, 25 books have been identified which propagate “false narrative and secessionism” in J & K, and need to be declared as “forfeited” in terms of Section 98 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the order mentioned.
These books have been found to “excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India,” thereby attracting provisions of sections 152, 196 and 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.
“Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 98 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares publication of 25 books and their copies or other documents to be forfeited to the Government,” the order said.
