J&K: 3 publishers arrested over books with alleged pro-separatist content
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The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three publishers in connection with the circulation of two books that allegedly contained "pro-separatist content", officials said.
The arrests came a week after the Jammu and Kashmir administration suspended eight officials and terminated a contractual employee following protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the content of the books.
The two books — Personalities and Legends of J&K by Hilal Ahmed and Santosh Meena, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir by Dr Sushant Giri — have also been withdrawn from school libraries.
On Sunday, police arrested Inderpaul Singh of Oberoi Book Service, along with Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida-based Dominant Publishers.
Officials said the role of the publishers in distributing books alleged to contain "highly inappropriate content" is under investigation.
According to police, 123 copies of one of the books were distributed to schools in the Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other book were supplied to schools in the Jammu and Baramulla districts.
On July 4, police registered an FIR under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to abetment of an offence, criminal conspiracy, endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, promoting enmity and disharmony, and publishing or circulating false statements, rumours or reports. Provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were also invoked.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has also blacklisted Oberoi Book Service and Dominant Publishers.
On July 6, the Counter-Intelligence unit conducted raids at premises linked to the two publication houses as part of the investigation.
Content of the books and subsequent action
One of the books, Personalities and Legends of J&K, contained a detailed passage on Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Maqbool Bhat, who was executed in 1984 after being convicted in a murder case.
An official spokesperson said the inclusion of the content reflected "serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of proper due diligence."
The books had been supplied to school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha education programme.
The BJP strongly objected to the content, with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma accusing the National Conference government of promoting "academic jihad."
"This is not history or education. This is academic subversion. It is academic jihad against India. The book attempts to revive separatist ideology among the youth," Sharma said.
Following the controversy, the Jammu and Kashmir government directed all government and recognised private schools, as well as coaching centres in the Kashmir division, to review books available on their premises for any "inappropriate or objectionable content."
Heads of institutions were also instructed to submit certificates to their respective Chief Education Officers or Zonal Education Officers confirming that no objectionable material was available on campus.