New Delhi — Jammu and Kashmir’s education minister warned of “strict action” after a government‑run school library was found to contain books the state says “glorify” separatist ideology. The allegation triggered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and a police raid on the publisher that supplied the titles.
What happened
Teachers at a government school in the Srinagar district reported that several books on the school’s shelves presented the Kashmiri separatist movement in a favorable light. The school’s principal forwarded the list of titles to the Department of School Education, which then referred the matter to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up after the abrogation of Article 370.
Education Minister Prof. Abdul Haq told reporters that the government would not tolerate material that “promotes anti‑national sentiment” and pledged “strict action” against those who “attempt to indoctrinate our children with extremist ideas.” He announced a review of all school‑library holdings across the union territory to ensure compliance with the National Education Policy and the Prevention of Anti‑National Activities Act.
Acting on the FIR, Srinagar district crime‑branch officers raided the offices of Arihant Publications, the university‑affiliated press that had supplied the disputed titles. Police seized copies of the books, computers and related documents. The raid was recorded on video and later released by the police department.
The FIR alleges that Arihant Publications “intentionally disseminated literature that glorifies the ideology of separatist groups” and “poses a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India.” The case is being investigated by the SIT.
Why it matters
The incident sits at the intersection of two sensitive policy areas: the control of educational content in a region that has been under direct central rule since August 2019, and the use of anti‑terror legislation to police speech. Invoking the UAPA—a law typically reserved for terrorist financing and violent extremism—signals a low tolerance for any narrative that could be interpreted as sympathetic to separatist causes.
If the investigation leads to prosecutions, it could set a precedent for broader censorship of historical and political literature in Jammu and Kashmir’s schools. Publishers may face heightened scrutiny, and educators could be compelled to self‑censor to avoid legal exposure. Conversely, a finding that the books constitute legitimate scholarship could reinforce protections for academic freedom in a region where dissenting voices have often been marginalized.
Background and context
Since the revocation of the state’s special status in 2019, the central government has emphasized “national integration” in school curricula. In early 2024, the Ministry of Education issued guidelines urging states to remove “any material that undermines the unity and integrity of the country.” The Jammu and Kashmir administration has responded by establishing a Special Investigation Team to examine alleged seditious content in educational institutions.
The books flagged by the school include titles on the Kashmiri freedom struggle, biographies of separatist leaders, and historical accounts that highlight alleged human‑rights violations by Indian security forces. Critics argue that such works represent a scholarly perspective on a contested history, while officials contend that the material crosses the line into propaganda.
Arihant Publications, the publisher under investigation, is affiliated with a local university and has a reputation for releasing peer‑reviewed works by “renowned historians,” according to its legal counsel. The publisher’s attorney, Adv. Rohan Mehta, said the firm is “committed to academic freedom” and will contest the allegations in court, emphasizing that the books were intended for scholarly use, not to incite separatism.
Human‑rights groups, including the Kashmir Human Rights Commission, have called for a transparent inquiry. The commission’s spokesperson warned that “while the state has the responsibility to prevent hate speech, it must also safeguard the right to free expression and scholarly research.”
Competing claims and uncertainty
The core dispute hinges on how “glorification” of separatist ideology is defined. The state’s Department of School Education and the SIT argue that the books promote anti‑national sentiment and therefore violate the UAPA. Their position is based on the inventory submitted by the school’s staff, which lists the titles and notes passages that allegedly praise separatist leaders.
Arihant Publications counters that the works are academically vetted, cite primary sources, and present multiple perspectives on the Kashmir conflict. The publisher’s counsel maintains that the books do not advocate violence or secession, but rather document historical events and human‑rights concerns.
Independent verification of the books’ content is limited. The police have not released excerpts, and the FIR does not specify which passages are deemed seditious. Without a public examination of the texts, it remains unclear whether the material constitutes prohibited propaganda or legitimate scholarship.
Legal experts note that the UAPA’s provisions on “unlawful activity” have been applied in a range of cases, from financing terrorism to speech that “creates disaffection” against the state. The threshold for criminal liability under the act is high, and courts have sometimes required clear evidence of intent to incite violence. Whether the mere inclusion of separatist narratives in school libraries meets that threshold is an open question.
What to watch next
– Court proceedings: Arihant Publications has indicated it will challenge the FIR in court. The outcome of any preliminary hearings will clarify how the judiciary interprets the UAPA in the context of educational material.
– Library audit: The education minister announced a territory‑wide review of school‑library holdings. Results of that audit, including any additional titles removed or retained, will reveal the breadth of the administration’s crackdown.
– Political response: Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have raised questions about the use of anti‑terror laws against publishers. Statements from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education will indicate whether the central government will back the state’s actions or call for restraint.
– Human‑rights monitoring: The Kashmir Human Rights Commission and other civil‑society groups have pledged to monitor the case. Their reports could influence public opinion and potentially attract attention from national and international watchdogs.
Conclusion
The raid on Arihant Publications and the FIR filed under the UAPA underscore the heightened sensitivity surrounding educational content in Jammu and Kashmir. While the state argues that the books “glorify” separatist ideology and threaten national integrity, the publisher insists the works are scholarly and protected by academic freedom. The legal and administrative outcomes will shape the balance between security concerns and freedom of expression in a region still grappling with the legacy of conflict and the recent revocation of its special status.
Sources
Indian Express, “J‑K school library books withdrawn, UAPA FIR, publisher premises searched in separatism row,” https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-school-library-books-withdrawn-uapa-fir-publisher-premises-searched-separatism-row-10772815/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
