The Jammu and Kashmir authorities has banned 25 books, claiming they promote a “false narrative and secessionism” within the Union Territory. Among the many banned titles are Azadi by creator Arundhati Roy, The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012 by constitutional professional A.G. Noorani, and political scientist Sumantra Bose’s Kashmir on the Crossroads and Contested Lands.
In accordance with a notification issued by the House Division on Tuesday (August 5), the ban was based mostly on “credible proof” that such content material—typically introduced as historic or political evaluation—has contributed to “youth participation violence and terrorism.”
“This literature would deeply affect the psyche of youth by selling tradition of grievance, victimhood and terrorist heroism. A number of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalization of youth in J&Ok embrace distortion of historic information, glorification of terrorists, vilification of safety forces, non secular radicalization, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism,” the notification reads.
The federal government has declared 25 books revealed by varied publishing homes — together with Routledge, Stanford College Press, and Oxford College Press — as ‘forfeited’ beneath Part 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
In accordance with the notification, the books had been “discovered to excite secessionism and endanger the sovereignty and integrity of India,” thereby invoking provisions beneath Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Whereas Part 98 of the BNSS 2023 empowers the federal government to declare sure publications as ‘forfeited’, Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the BNS 2023 relate to “assault with out grave provocation”, “obstruction of public servants”, and “failure to help them when legally sure”, respectively.
The federal government has ordered the forfeiture of 25 books, together with all copies and associated paperwork.
