Why J&K government withdrew 4,767 books from colleges and libraries after checking 21.8 million publications

The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn over 4,700 books, including banned ones, containing objectionable content from colleges and libraries across the Union Territory after scanning nearly 2.2 million publications, news agency PTI reported. Almost 94 percent of the books downloaded were from Kashmir division, while 253 were downloaded from Jammu.

The information was revealed by the UT government in a written reply to a question in the assembly by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA from Langate, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh. The government, in reply during the assembly session, said that it has examined 21,81,582 books/publications till date.

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Of these, 9,32,941 were examined in Jammu division while 12,48,641 in Kashmir division, the higher education department said in its reply. The government said it had withdrawn 4,767 books, including 518 banned publications.

While 293 books were withdrawn in the Jammu region, 4,474 books were withdrawn from the Kashmir Valley.

The government has also referred 1,752 books — 538 in Jammu and 1,214 in Kashmir — for peer review by the principals of colleges. It stated that clear and objective criteria were adopted to identify objectionable material for checking books available in universities.

However, he added that the department is in the process of reviewing objectionable books/downloadable materials.

What did the government say?

The government said the “pulling” of the books was part of a wider inspection exercise involving books and other publications available in educational institutions and libraries.

The government argued that the rationale behind such a measure is that institutions of higher education are centers of higher learning, research, academic excellence and 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 review follows orders issued in July by the Department for Education and Universities to check all books following a controversy over the purchase of two books that had inappropriate content.

518 copies of 19 titles banned

The figures released by the Jammu and Kashmir government do not include books that have already been formally banned. The government separately informed the assembly that 518 copies of 19 titles banned under SO 203 dated August 5, 2025 have been withdrawn from circulation.

In August 2025, the J&K Home Ministry banned 25 books by academics, journalists, writers and historians, citing concerns that they were promoting what the government called “false narratives, radicalization and secessionism”. The list included works by Arundhati Roy, AG Noorani, Sumantra Bose, Sugata Bose, Christopher Snedden and Victoria Schofield.

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The crackdown on books gained momentum this year following a controversy over two books supplied to school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The charges were that the books contained favorable references to separatist leaders and used terminology associated with secessionist politics.

A broader exploration focused on J&K Personalities and Legends by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir by Sushant Giri.

The Education Department uses a three-tier “academic and content review mechanism” to review material. The mechanism includes committees at college level, directorate level and departmental level.

A transparent and accountable system

The ministry also adopted what it described as “clear and objective criteria” for identifying material deemed objectionable.

The circular issued in July called for a transparent and accountable system for the evaluation, procurement, recommendation, retention, circulation and regular review of academic materials.

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Colleges are expected to foster an environment that promotes constitutional values, academic freedom, and critical thinking.

The guidelines require that publications be reviewed for their academic relevance, factual accuracy, and pedagogical appropriateness. It must also conform to the Constitution of India, applicable laws, regulations of the University Grants Commission, government policy and educational objectives of the Higher Education Department.