The J&K government screened approximately 21.8 lakh books in state-run and private colleges since July, resulting in the withdrawal of over 4,800 books due to allegedly objectionable content.
According to a report by The Hindu, the Jammu and Kashmir government screened about 21.8 lakh books in state-run and private colleges since July to ensure that they do not contain ‘inappropriate or objectionable content’. More than 12.4 lakh books were screened in the Kashmir division, while over 9.3 lakh books were screened in Jammu. Among these, 4,812 books were withdrawn from libraries due to allegedly objectionable content. The government stated that it had adopted ‘clear and objective criteria’ to identify such material. More than 1,750 books were referred to the director of the government’s colleges department for further examination. A government order in July had specified that any material that may violate religious sentiments, be against the law, or have the potential to harm national interest should be identified. The government told the Assembly that the books were screened as colleges are ‘expected to foster an environment that upholds constitutional values, academic freedom, critical thinking, scientific temper, responsible citizenship, and respect for the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India’. The move came in response to an Opposition MLA’s question about whether there was an objective criterion for identifying allegedly objectionable material available in higher education institutes. This action followed protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party against certain books procured by government schools, claiming they promoted ‘academic jihad’. Earlier in August 2025, the J&K Home Department had banned 25 books, including works by author and activist Arundhati Roy and former Supreme Court lawyer and constitutional expert AG Noorani.
Source:
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