Jammu and Kashmir Administration Takes Action Against Officials Over Controversial Books

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken significant disciplinary action following the discovery of ‘pro-separatist’ content in two books found in school libraries. This move comes in the wake of protests led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as officials suspended eight individuals and terminated a contractual employee from their positions.

The books in question, titled Personalities and Legends of J&K and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, have been deemed controversial due to their content. The first book, authored by Hilal Ahmed and Santosh Meena, features a passage discussing the infamous figure Maqbool Bhat, the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), who was executed in 1984 for advocating for Kashmir’s independence. The second title was penned by Dr. Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan in Delhi.

According to an official spokesperson, the presence of such content in educational materials represents a ‘serious negligence and lack of proper due diligence’ on the part of the officials involved. In response, both books have been withdrawn from all school libraries as part of the Samagra Shiksha initiative, aimed at improving the education system in the region.

Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary of the School Education Department, issued the order to suspend the officials, which include Fazil Imran Saddiqui, Gurjeet Singh, Sanjeev Sharma, Kore Pannu, Shazia Kouser, Imtiaz Ahmad Mir, Niranjan Sharma, Renu Mengi, and Rajmohini. Furthermore, the authors and publishing houses responsible for these materials have been blacklisted from producing any future educational content in Jammu and Kashmir.

This incident underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding educational content in the region, particularly concerning topics related to separatism and its figures. The BJP’s protests highlight the party’s stance against any material perceived to promote separatist sentiments. As Jammu and Kashmir continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the administration’s swift action reveals a commitment to maintaining a specific narrative in the educational framework.

Source: scroll.in