The Home Department of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has imposed a ban on 25 books through an official government notification, citing their alleged promotion of a “false narrative,” “separatist ideology,” and “anti-state sentiments.” The move is being seen as yet another attempt by Indian authorities to control freedom of expression and restrict intellectual content in the region.

Text of the Notification:

According to the official statement, investigative findings and intelligence reports suggest that the books in question glorify terrorism, vilify security forces, promote separatism, and influence youth with ideas of “sacrifice, victimhood, and portraying militants as heroes.”

The books will be seized under Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (Indian Civil Protection Code 2023). Authors, publishers, and distributors may face legal action under Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (Indian Justice Code 2023).

Some of the key banned books and authors include:

1. Human Rights Violations in Kashmir – Piotr Balcerowicz & Agnieszka Kuszewska
2. The Freedom Struggle in Kashmir – Mohammad Yusuf Saraf
3. Colonizing Kashmir: State-Building under Indian Occupation – Hafsa Kanjwal (Stanford University Press)
4. Kashmir Politics and the Referendum – Dr. Abdul Jabbar Gokhami
5. Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora? – Essar Batool et al.
6. Mujaahid ki Azaan – Imam Hassan al-Banna (Compiled by Maulana Inayatullah Subhani)
7. Al-Jihad fi al-Islam – Maulana Maududi
8. Azad Kashmir – Christopher Snedden
9. Resisting Occupation in Kashmir – Haley Duschinski, Ather Zia, Mona Bhan et al.
10. Between Democracy and Nation (Women and Militarism in Kashmir) – Seema Kazi
11. Contested Lands – Sumantra Bose
12. In Search of a Future (The Story of Kashmir) – David Devadas
13. Kashmir Dispute: India, Pakistan and the Unending Conflict – Victoria Schofield
14. The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012 – A.G. Noorani
15. Kashmir at the Crossroads (A 21st Century Conflict) – Sumantra Bose
16. A Dismantled State (Kashmir after Article 370) – Anuradha Bhasin
17. Resisting Disappearance (Military Occupation and Women’s Activism in Kashmir) – Ather Zia
18. Facing Terrorism – Stephen P. Cohen (Edited by Maroof Raza)
19. Freedom in Captivity (Struggles for Identity at Kashmir’s Borders) – Radhika Gupta
20. The Case for Freedom – Tariq Ali, Hilal Bhat, Arundhati Roy et al.
21. Freedom – Arundhati Roy
22. America and Kashmir – Dr. Shamshad Shan
23. Law and Conflict Resolution in Kashmir – Piotr Balcerowicz & Agnieszka Kuszewska
24. Political History of Kashmir – Dr. Afaq
25. Kashmir and the Future of South Asia – Edited by Sugata Bose & Ayesha Jalal

Public & Academic Reaction:

Writers and intellectual circles have strongly criticized the ban, calling it an attack on freedom of speech and academic liberty. Many of the banned books were published by globally renowned academic institutions and have been widely cited in scholarly discourse.

Government’s Position:

Authorities defend the decision as a necessary measure to prevent youth radicalization, suppress separatist narratives, and protect national security.

Background:

This latest development adds to the growing list of repressive measures by the Indian government in the region, including internet shutdowns, censorship, and restrictions on journalists and academics. The ban is seen as part of a broader strategy to control the narrative surrounding Kashmir, particularly post the abrogation of Article 370.