Why is India vetting books in Kashmir in search of ‘anti-national’ content?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that authorities in India-administered Kashmir have begun a broad review of books and other materials in school, college, university and public libraries, seeking content officials describe as “objectionable” or harmful to India’s sovereignty and security. A July 9 government order cited by the outlet directs educational institutions to examine books, journals, dissertations, theses and digital resources for material deemed misleading, inflammatory, unlawful or supportive of terrorism, extremism, secessionism or communal discord.

According to Al Jazeera, the latest action followed objections from Sunil Sharma, a politician with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, to a book titled Personalities and Legends of J&K by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena. Authorities objected to entries on Kashmiri separatist figures, including Maqbool Bhat, Masrat Alam Bhat and Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Al Jazeera reported that police arrested three people connected to publishers of two books and accused them of endangering India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity.

The development matters because Kashmir’s history and political status remain highly contested. The region is divided between India and Pakistan, while both claim it in full. In 2019, New Delhi revoked India-administered Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and placed it under direct federal control. Al Jazeera frames the library audits as part of a wider tightening on educational and public expression in the region since that change.

Residents and writers quoted by Al Jazeera described uncertainty and fear over what may now be considered anti-national, while BJP figures defended the move as necessary to prevent separatist ideas from reaching young people. The outlet also noted previous bans and police actions against books on Kashmir, including titles by scholars, journalists and novelists.