Key Takeaways
- The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned 25 books for propagating false narratives and secessionism in the region.
- The books have been linked to youth radicalization and terrorism, and have been circulated internally, often disguised as historical or political commentary.
- The government has used Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to ban the books.
With its latest notification dated Tuesday, August 5, the Home Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, declared the banning of the publication of 25 books, and has asked these publications, their copies, and other related documents to be forfeited to the government.
As per the Home department, these books ‘propagate false narrative and secessionism in J&K’.
The notification read, ‘The government has noticed that certain literature in Jammu and Kashmir propagates false narratives and secessionism. Investigations and intelligence suggest that this literature has contributed to youth radicalization and terrorism. It has been circulated internally, often disguised as historical or political commentary, and has misled the youth, glorified terrorism, and incited violence against the Indian State.’
‘This literature would deeply impact the psyche of youth by promoting a culture of grievance, victimhood, and terrorist heroism. Some of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalization of youth in J&K include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism, etc.’, it further stated.
The said books have been declared ‘forfeited’ under Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and attract the provisions of Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Some of the banned publications include ‘Al Jihadul fil Islam’ by Moulana Moudadi; ‘Kashmiri’s Fight for Freedom’ by Mohd. Yosuf Saraf; ‘Contested Lands’ by Sumantra Bose; ‘Azadi’ by Arundhati Roy; and ‘Kashmir and the Future of South Asia’ by Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal.
