In what is being seen by critics as a deflection from its inability to articulate a concrete political or developmental strategy for Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir government has blamed the writings of 25 books—including those by Islamic scholar Syed Abul A’la Maududi, constitutional expert AG Noorani, and writer-activist Arundhati Roy—portraying them as the reason behind terrorism, secessionism, and religious radicalisation.
The government, in its notification, claimed that the banned literature contributes to radicalisation by distorting historical facts, glorifying terrorists, vilifying security forces, encouraging religious radicalisation, promoting alienation, and creating a pathway to violence and terrorism, while masquerading as academic or political analysis, and argued that such works impact the psyche of youth by fostering a culture of grievance, victimhood, and terrorist heroism.
The banned publications were declared to have violated public order and national security, with officials claiming that the material circulated within these texts contributed significantly to the radicalisation of youth in the Union Territory and served to incite secessionism and violence.
The notification issued under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, cited credible investigations and intelligence inputs that linked these books to a systematic dissemination of literature designed to misguide youth, glorify terrorism, and encourage anti-state sentiment.
The government directed that copies of the identified books be forfeited, citing concerns that they foster a narrative of grievance and victimhood, and that their continued circulation would endanger India's sovereignty and integrity. The list of banned works spans historical, political, and activist literature, including Al Jihadul fil Islam by Maududi, The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012 by Noorani, and Azadi as well as Kashmir: The Case for Freedom by Roy.
Several other titles by Kashmiri academics and international scholars also feature in the list, with authorities arguing that these works were camouflaged as academic or historical inquiry while serving the purpose of amplifying secessionist ideologies and undermining national unity.
Books such as Colonising Kashmir by Hafsa Kanjwal, Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora? by Essar Batool and others, Resisting Disappearance by Ather Zia, and Contested Lands by Sumantra Bose were included, with the government asserting that their content excites secessionism and vilifies the role of the state.
The notification also identified collaborative and edited volumes, including Resisting Occupation in Kashmir, Freedom in Captivity, and Confronting Terrorism, which the government believes played a critical role in propagating literature that encourages armed resistance and undermines the legitimacy of Indian governance in the region.
Historians Ayesha Jalal and Sugata Bose, political scientist Sumantra Bose, and other academics such as Piotr Balcerowicz, Seema Kazi, and David Devadas have been named as authors of titles considered objectionable.
The authorities stated that the publications, in addition to distorting facts, glorified terrorist figures and movements, incited religious polarisation, and created a perception of oppression aimed at encouraging a disconnect between Kashmiris and the Indian state. The order, citing sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, categorised these works as threats to national integrity and demanded their immediate removal from circulation.
Reacting to the ban, Rajya Sabha MP and RJD National Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha criticised the move as regressive, arguing that banning books in a democracy reflects an inherent fear of ideas, debate, and dissent. He added that such actions signal insecurity rather than strength and suggest an unwillingness on the part of the government to engage with opposing viewpoints through democratic dialogue. Jha said censorship of literature suppresses intellectual freedom and the right of citizens to form independent opinions, warning that this undermines the foundations of an informed and open society.
Journalist and peace activist Anuradha Bhasin, whose book A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370 is among those banned, also responded critically, stating that she has read most of the listed titles and authored one herself. She maintained that the banned books are well-researched and do not glorify terrorism as alleged, suggesting instead that the government was afraid of words that challenge its narrative.