Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj freed on bail

India's administration in Jammu and Kashmir has initiated a sweeping review of books, academic materials, and digital resources across the region's libraries and educational institutions, citing concerns over "anti-national" content. The move follows allegations that certain publications promote separatism, terrorism, and other activities deemed harmful to national unity and security. According to an official directive dated July 9, all educational institutions in the region have been instructed to scrutinize books, journals, dissertations, doctoral theses, and digital content for any material that might be considered misleading, factually incorrect, inflammatory, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable. This includes content that could be interpreted as supporting terrorism, violent extremism, secessionism, or communal disharmony. The directive explicitly prohibits the procurement, circulation, or retention of such materials within the region. The initiative began earlier this month following demands from Sunil Sharma, a member of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sharma sought a ban on a book titled Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by regional educators Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena. The book features profiles of notable figures from Jammu and Kashmir, including writers Salman Rushdie and Hari Kunzru, and Farah Pandith, the first U.S. special representative to Muslim communities. Authorities have raised objections to the inclusion of several individuals linked to the region's pro-freedom movement. Among these is Maqbool Bhat, a former separatist leader executed by Indian courts in 1984. The book refers to him as a "martyr," a designation that has drawn criticism from officials. Another individual highlighted in the text is Masrat Alam Bhat, a separatist arrested during the 2019 crackdown and currently incarcerated. Additionally, the book mentions Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a late separatist leader who described Kashmir as a "disputed region awaiting political resolution under the aegis of the United Nations." The controversy surrounding the book has intensified due to its distribution through a government-funded program aimed at providing educational resources to public and school libraries. Despite this, Sharma accused the books of being part of an effort to incite unrest in Kashmir, using rhetoric that invokes Islamophobic sentiments. He referred to the situation as an instance of "academic jihad," suggesting that such materials aim to influence the minds of the youth in a manner detrimental to national interests. The scope of the review has expanded beyond initial directives targeting school libraries. It now encompasses research publications, dissertations, journals, and digital content maintained by universities. An investigation has been launched to ascertain how materials with "seditious content" entered public libraries and educational institutions. This probe was initially limited to school libraries but has since been extended to cover broader academic resources. Jammu and Kashmir, a region claimed by both India and Pakistan, has experienced heightened tensions since 2019, when New Delhi revoked the area's semi-autonomous status and placed it under direct federal control. Since then, there have been reports of increased restrictions on educational institutions, rights activists, journalists, and pro-freedom groups. The current measures reflect a continuation of policies aimed at curbing dissent and maintaining control over the region's narrative. As the scrutiny intensifies, the focus remains on ensuring compliance with the directive while addressing concerns regarding freedom of expression and academic integrity. The outcome of the ongoing investigations will likely shape future actions taken by authorities in response to perceived threats to national security and territorial integrity.