J&K L-G administration suspends 8 officials over pro-separatist content in library books

The Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor administration on Saturday (June 6, 2026) suspended eight officials and blacklisted two authors and publishers after “pro-separatist” content in a library book sparked protests from the BJP and other groups.

An official spokesman said the book, “Personalities and Legends of J&K”, contained content related to separatism, which has the potential to create law and order situations.

It contained a detailed write up about separatist J&K Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged in 1984 for seeking independence for Kashmir. The spokesman said it was “serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of proper due diligence” by members of sub-committee and supervisory officers.

The book was authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu. Officials said 123 copies of this book were supplied to the Jammu division and 128 copies to the Kashmir division. The book was published under Samagra Shiksha as an age-appropriate book for 18,328 government schools and 394 PM SHRI schools. Four sub-committees of experts were constituted for selection, officials said.

Besides suspending eight officials, including the authors, a Computer Assistant assisting the Coordinator Library, has been disengaged.

The government order said the authors and publishers are banned and blacklisted in J&K with immediate effect. “Any printed material authored and/or published by them shall also be withdrawn from the Union Territory,” it said.

An inquiry has also been constituted into it and a report will be submitted to the government within 30 days.

‘Academic jihad’

The book sparked protests from several organisations in Jammu. BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma accused the National Conference government of promoting “academic jihad”.

“This is not history or education. This is academic subversion. It is academic jihad against India. The book attempts to revive separatist ideology among the youth,” said Mr. Sharma.

Mr. Sharma alleged that the publication promotes the narrative of separatist leaders such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masrat Alam, Shabir Shah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “It is an attempt to spread hatred against India and its armed forces,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for School Education Sakeena Itoo said the government will take the strictest possible action against everyone responsible for the controversial books found in government school libraries, asserting that any conspiracy aimed at influencing young minds will not be tolerated.

“It is unfortunate. The moment it came to my notice, I instructed the Education Secretary to act immediately. I had asked for termination, but suspension orders have been issued and an inquiry has already been ordered,” she said.

She said whoever is found responsible will face the toughest action. This cannot be tolerated. “A deliberate conspiracy appears to have been hatched and we will not allow such things,” Ms. Itoo said.