J&K: Eight officials suspended over ‘pro-separatist’ content in two books in school libraries

In June 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir administration took significant disciplinary action following the discovery of "pro-separatist" content in two books distributed to school libraries. The incident led to the suspension of eight officials and the termination of a contractual employee, along with the blacklisting of the authors and publishers involved. The books in question were *Personalities and Legends of J&K* by Hilal Ahmed and Santosh Meena, and *Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir* by Dr Sushant Giri. These materials were removed from school libraries after sparking controversy and protests from political groups, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to reports, the book *Personalities and Legends of J&K*, published by Oberoi Book Service in Jammu, included a detailed account of Maqbool Bhat, the founder of the J&K Liberation Front (JKLF). Bhat was executed in 1984 for advocating independence for Kashmir. The administration criticized the inclusion of this content, stating it reflected serious negligence and a failure to conduct proper due diligence by the officials responsible for selecting educational materials. A similar critique was applied to the second book, *Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir*, published by Anurag Prakashan in Delhi.

The books were supplied to school libraries as part of the Samagra Shiksha initiative, a national program aimed at improving school education across India. Officials confirmed that 123 copies of *Personalities and Legends of J&K* were distributed to the Jammu division and 128 copies to the Kashmir division. These books were intended for use in 18,328 government schools and 394 PM SHRI schools, targeting students across both regions of the union territory.

Following the discovery of the contentious content, the Lieutenant Governor's office, represented by Manoj Sinha, issued directives to suspend eight officials, including Fazil Imran Saddiqui, Gurjeet Singh, Sanjeev Sharma, Kore Pannu, Shazia Kouser, Imtiaz Ahmad Mir, Niranjan Sharma, Renu Mengi, and Rajmohini. Additionally, a computer assistant working under the Coordinator Library was terminated. The administration also blacklisted the authors and publishers, banning them from producing or distributing any material within Jammu and Kashmir. All existing copies of their works were to be withdrawn from circulation in the region.

The controversy escalated when the BJP, led by its Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, accused the National Conference-led government of engaging in "academic jihad." Sharma claimed the books were designed to instill separatist ideologies among the youth and promote narratives associated with figures like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masrat Alam, Shabir Shah, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He argued that these materials sought to incite hatred towards India and its military forces.

In response, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for School Education Sakeena Itoo emphasized the government's commitment to taking stringent measures against anyone found responsible for allowing such content into school libraries. She stated that any effort to influence young minds with separatist ideas would not be tolerated. Itoo noted that upon learning of the issue, she immediately directed the Education Secretary to take swift action, though the decision to suspend rather than terminate the officials was made by higher authorities. An independent inquiry has been launched, with results expected within 30 days.

The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding historical narratives and educational content in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration's actions reflect a broader concern about maintaining ideological neutrality in state-run educational institutions, especially amid political tensions. As the inquiry unfolds, further developments could provide clarity on whether the books were indeed inappropriate or if there were procedural oversights in their approval process. The outcome of the investigation may influence future policies regarding the vetting of educational materials in the region.