Government Bans 25 Books Accused of Radicalizing Youth and Undermining India’s Sovereignty in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 5, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has formally banned 25 books that it claims propagate false narratives of secessionism and glorify militancy, declaring them as ‘forfeited’ under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023. The notification, issued by the Home Department, highlights concerns over the alleged dissemination of literature that misguides youth, distorts historical facts, and promotes anti-India sentiments under the guise of political or historical commentary.
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Citing credible intelligence inputs and detailed investigations, the government observed that such literature has been instrumental in radicalizing youth, glorifying terrorism, and vilifying security forces. The notification as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust mentions that these writings often adopt persistent internal circulation strategies, framing secessionist ideology as a legitimate resistance, while systematically undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity.
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Among the books banned is “Kashmir: The Case for Freedom”, a collection of essays by Arundhati Roy, Pankaj Mishra, Hilal Bhatt, Angana P. Chatterji, and Varavara Rao, published by Verso Books. Arundhati Roy’s “Azadi” has also been banned. Similarly, Sumantra Bose’s “Kashmir at the Cross Roads (Inside a 21st Century Conflict), published by the Pan Macmillian and “Contested Lands,” published by Harper Collins have been proscribed for allegedly promoting radical ideological narratives.
Several other prominent titles include “Kashmir in Conflict” by Victoria Schofield, “Human Rights Violations in Kashmir” and “Law and Conflict Resolution in Kashmir” both books written by Piotr Balcerowicz and Agnieszka Kuszewska, “Kashmir’s Fight for Freedom authored by Muhammad Yousuf Saraf, “Colonizing Kashmir, State-Building Under Indian Occupation by Hafsa Kanjwal, “Kashmir Politics and Plebiscite” by Dr Abdul Jabbar Gockhami, Do You Remember Kunanposhpora?” by Essar Batool and others, “Mujahid Ki Azaan” by Imam Hassan Al-Bana and “Al Jihadul Fil Islam by Moulana Moudadi have been banned.
Besides, “Independent Kashmir” by Christopher Snedden, “Resisting Occupation in Kashmir” by Haley Duschinski and others, “Between Democracy and Nation (Gender and Militarization in Kashmir) by Seema Kazi, “In Search of Future (The Story of Kashmir) by David Devadas and “The Kashmir Dispute 1947-2012, authored by late renowned historian AG Noorani have been included in the banned list.
The notification underscores that these publications have been identified as major contributors to the radicalization of youth, fostering sentiments of alienation and hatred towards the Indian State. It was observed that such literature consistently glorifies militants, undermines counter-insurgency efforts, and vilifies the actions of security forces, thereby inciting public unrest and promoting secessionist ideologies.
Other books declared forfeited include “A Dismantled State (The Untold Story of Kashmir After Article 370) by Anuradha Bhasin, “Resisting Disappearance (Military Occupation and Women Activism in Kashmir) by Ather Zia, “Confronting Terrorism” by Stephen Prochen and edited by Maroof Raza, “Freedom Captivity (Negotiations of Belonging Along Kashmiri Frontier) by Radhika Gupta, “US and Kashmir” authored by Dr Shamshad Shan, “Tarikh-i-Siyasat” by Dr Afaq and finally “Kashmir and the Future of South Asia” edited by Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal have been banned in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government justified its move by invoking sections 95, 152, 196, and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, asserting that the circulation of these books poses a direct threat to national security and the peaceful fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
