The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 25 books forfeited, citing concerns that they promote secessionism and endanger India's sovereignty. The banned books cover the politics and conflict of Kashmir and are authored by figures like Arundhati Roy and A.G. Noorani. The government claims the literature propagates false narratives, glorifies terrorism, and incites violence, thereby radicalizing the youth.
A notification issued by the Home Department stated that investigations and intelligence inputs revealed that these publications played a significant role in radicalizing youth by distorting historical facts, vilifying security forces, and promoting violence. The government declared these books forfeited due to their threat to national integrity and public order, acting under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The notification stated that it had come to the government's attention that certain literature propagates false narratives and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. The government further stated that the systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature, often disguised as historical or political commentary, has been a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism. According to the government, this literature plays a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism, and inciting violence against the Indian State, deeply impacting the psyche of youth by promoting a culture of grievance, victimhood, and terrorist heroism. The means by which this literature contributes to radicalization include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, and pathways to violence and terrorism.
The forfeited books include Human Rights Violation in Kashmir by Piotr Balcerowicz and Angnieszka Kuszewka, Kashmir's Fight for Freedom by Muhammad Yusuf Saraf, Colonizing Kashmir by Hafsa Kanjwal, and Kashmir Politics and Plebiscite by Dr. Abdul Jabbar Gockhami. Also on the list are Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora by Essar Batool and others, Mujahid Ki Azan by Imam Hasan ul Bana Shaheed, and Al Jihad Fil Islam by Maulana Maududi. Titles such as Independent Kashmir by Christopher Snedden, Resisting Occupation Kashmir by Haley Duschinski, Mona Bhat, Athar Zia and Cynthia Mahmood, and Between Democracy and Nation by Seema Kazi have also been forfeited. Other books include Contested Lands and Kashmir at the Crossroads by Sumantra Bose, In Search of Future by David Devadas, Kashmir in Conflict by Victoria Schofield, and The Kashmir Dispute by A G Noorani. A Dismantled State by Anuradha Bhasin, Resisting Disappearance by Ather Zia, Confronting Terrorism by Stephen P Cohen, Freedom in Captivity by Radhika Gupta, Kashmir by Tariq Ali, Hilal Bhat, Angana P Chatterjee, Pankaj Mishra and Arundhati Roy, Azadi by Arundhati Roy, USA and Kashmir by Dr Shamshad Shan, Law and Conflict Resolution in Kashmir by Piotr Balcerowicz and Angnieszka Kuszewka, Tarikh i Siyasat e Kashmir by Dr Afaq and Kashmir and the future of South Asia by Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal are also on the list.
The government has stated that the identified books excite secessionism and endanger the sovereignty and integrity of India, thereby attracting the provisions of Sections 152, 196 & 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. The Home Department has ordered that all copies of these books and related materials be forfeited. Prominent publishers such as Routledge, Stanford University Press, Zubaan Books, and Harper Collins feature on the list.
