‘Will only fuel division': Kashmir police raid bookstores, seize banned titles; crackdown targets ‘subversive' literature
SRINAGAR: Police launched Thursday coordinated raids across Kashmir valley, seizing allegedly subversive books from bookstores and literary venues, including Chinar book festival underway at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake.
The crackdown followed J&K administration banning 25 titles under section 98 of BNSS.
Police confiscated five copies of 'A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir After Article 370' by Anuradha Bhasin, two copies of 'The Kashmir Dispute, 1947–2012' by AG Noorani, and one copy of 'Kashmir at the Crossroads' by Sumantra Bose from bookstores in Srinagar.
On Tuesday, the home department's order declared all copies of the listed books — whether held by people or organisations — liable to forfeiture, citing threats to national unity and sovereignty.
The department reports to lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha.
Press statements from district police headquarters described the action as part of an ongoing crackdown on publications allegedly promoting secessionist ideologies, glorifying terrorism, or disseminating distorted historical narratives.
'The objective of the operation was to identify, seize, and forfeit literature that propagates false narratives or poses a threat to the unity of India,' Srinagar police said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
She Was The Dream Girl In The 1980s, Here She Is Now.
Boite A Scoop
Undo
Police in Anantnag said inspections were carried out across all police station jurisdictions. The enforcement aimed to curb material 'that glorifies terrorism, vilifies security forces, or contributes to youth radicalisation,' a district statement read. Authorities urged people to report possession or circulation of banned content.
The move drew sharp criticism from political and religious voices across the region. Ex-CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said: 'Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas. Banning books cannot erase history, it only fuels division.'
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and s
ilver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Certainly possible': Zelenskyy may attend US-Russia Alaska Summit, says US ambassador to Nato; no decision made yet
US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker (Image credits: AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may attend this week's US-Russia summit in Alaska, the US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said Sunday, as the White House considers inviting him to the August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin . When asked on CNN if Zelenskyy might join Trump and Putin on Friday, ambassador Matthew Whitaker responded, "Yes, I definitely think it's possible.' 'Any deal must have the agreement of all involved parties. Ending this war is clearly a top priority,' he added, as quoted by AFP. The summit, currently scheduled without Zelensky's attendance, has raised concerns that any agreement might require Ukraine to cede large parts of its territory — a demand firmly rejected by the European Union . In recent days, Zelensky has been actively engaging in diplomacy, holding phone calls with 13 world leaders, including key allies Germany, Britain, and France. German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope on Sunday that Zelenskyy would attend the summit, saying he 'hoped and assumed' the Ukrainian president would be present. Whitaker emphasised that the final decision rests with Trump. 'If he thinks that that is the best scenario to invite Zelenskyy, then he will do that,' Whitaker said, while noting that 'no decision has been made to this point.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buenos Aires: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo It remains unclear whether Putin and Zelensky would meet face-to-face if Zelenskyy does attend the Alaska summit, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The White House initially insisted that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy be a condition for Trump's talks with the Russian leader, but Trump later stated that such a meeting was not essential. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, tens of thousands have died and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The urgency to end the conflict remains a high priority for all involved parties.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ruby Whitehorn arrested for aggravated burglary and assault in Knox County domestic dispute
Ruby Whitehorn arrested for aggravated burglary and assault in Knox County domestic dispute (Image Source: Getty Images) Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball player Ruby Whitehorn faces serious charges after a tense event in Knox County, Tennessee. New information is slowly coming out about what took place at a house in North Knox County. This news surprised many fans and made people wonder about what really led to her being arrested. Ruby Whitehorn charged after late Friday dispute in Knox County Tennessee Ruby Whitehorn, a guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, was arrested on Friday, August 8. Court papers say she is charged with aggravated burglary and domestic assault. The Knox County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about a domestic dispute at a North Knox County home. According to the police report, Ruby Whitehorn kicked in the front door and a bathroom door after a fight with a woman outside the house. Whitehorn started 28 games for Tennessee last season. She transferred from Clemson to join the Lady Vols. Last season, Ruby Whitehorn scored 11.6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds per game. She was let out on bond the day after her arrest. Her court date is set for Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Eric Trainer, Tennessee Lady Vols associate director of women's basketball, said the team knows about the situation and is looking into it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Are robot language tutors 100 times cheaper than humans? Talkpal AI Undo Police said no injuries occurred during the incident. Ruby Whitehorn's arrest raises questions about the incident and her basketball future Ruby Whitehorn told police the fight started when another woman took her phone and passport. Whitehorn said she was trying to get her things back. Police said Ruby was the main aggressor in the fight. She reportedly kicked down doors inside the home and smashed a mirror. Police officers who arrived said she acted violently. The charges against Ruby Whitehorn are serious and could affect her basketball career. Ruby Whitehorn will need to attend court and deal with legal steps in the next few weeks. Also Read: Cam Thomas shocks NBA with bold contract gamble leaving Brooklyn Nets fans stunned Fans are watching closely to find out what will happen. This event has brought attention to Ruby Whitehorn outside of basketball. It's best to wait for more details as the case continues. Ruby Whitehorn's arrest surprised many. People want to know what happens next. As the case goes on, everyone is watching closely for new news and updates about her future. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Calcutta HC has highest backlog of cases pending for 50+ years
NEW DELHI: In a ranking that it can do without, Calcutta high court (HC) has topped the list of HCs having huge backlogs of cases pending for disposal for over five decades. The HC, one of the three first set up by the British, has 2,185 such cases yet to be disposed of, which is 94% of the total 2,329 cases pending for over 50 years across all HCs. And since last year, Calcutta HC has added 140 more to its docket. According to the pendency statistics released by Union law ministry on Thursday, there are 22,829 cases pending for 40-50 years at 25 HCs across country, another 63,239 for 30-40 years, over 3.4 lakh for 20-30 years and 11.5 lakh for 10-20 years. The oldest case in a high court is pending for 74 years, since 1951. Only eight HCs besides Calcutta have pendency of cases for over five decades - 56 in Madras HC, 46 in Patna HC, 17 in Allahabad HC, nine in Telangana HC, eight in Orissa HC, four in Madhya Pradesh HC, and two each in Bombay and Punjab & Haryana HCs. In comparison, the district judiciary has done better with only 1,113 cases pending for five decades, of which 39% are only from Bengal. The data was released by law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in response to a question in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The total pendency of cases which are more than 10 years old is at 15,77,191. In response to another question on pendency of cases, Meghwal said several factors lead to long pendency, including "complexity of the facts involved, nature of evidence, cooperation of stakeholders, viz. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants, besides the availability of physical infrastructure, supporting court staff and proper application of rules and procedures to monitor, track and bunch hearing of cases". He highlighted that pendency of cases and vacancy for judges in HCs are not necessarily directly related - as of Aug 1, against the sanctioned strength of 1,122 judges in HCs, the working strength was at 778, with 344 vacancies. "Against these vacancies, 138 proposals for appointment of judges are at various stages of processing between govt and SC Collegium," Meghwal said. Govt has not yet received any recommendation against 206 vacancies, he added. This seems to have escaped the attention of the higher judiciary, notwithstanding SC issuing from time to time directives to all HCs to ensure that pendency of all cases over 10 years old is cleared on priority basis. As reported by TOI, govt had set up National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms in Aug 2011 with the objective of improving legal access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. Separate arrears committees have also been set up at all 25 HCs to clear cases pending for more than five years. Similar committees are functional at district courts.
