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The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu On Books newsletter: Book bans in Kashmir, talking to Isabel Allende, forgotten voices from Punjab and more
Welcome to this edition of The Hindu on Books Newsletter. Last week, the Jammu & Kashmir Home Department banned 25 books, including works by prominent writers like A.G. Noorani, Sumantra Bose, Arundhati Roy and Ayesha Jalal, for 'propagating false narrative and secessionism'. In an order, the Home Department said the identified 25 books had been found 'to excite secessionism and endangering [the] sovereignty and integrity of India.' The books declared as 'forfeited' include Independent Kashmir by Christopher Snedden; The Kashmir Dispute 1947-2012 by A.G. Noorani; Azadi by Arundhati Roy; Confronting Terrorism by Stephen P. Cohen among others. Two books by Islamic scholars, Imam Hasan Al-Bana and Moulana Moudadi, are also on the list. The J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, distanced himself from the move, saying he had never banned books and never would. 'The ban has been imposed by the L-G using the only department he officially controls – the Home Department,' Mr. Abdullah said, as opposition to the move grows across the country. In reviews, we read Harleen Singh's The Lost Heer, Ravikant Kisana's Meet the Savarnas, an excerpt from a new book on Hiroshima, 80 years on, and we talk to Isabel Allende about her new novel. Books of the week In Harleen Singh's epic re-telling, The Lost Heer: Women in Colonial Punjab (Penguin/Viking), there are a myriad echoes of a storied past that situates the Punjab within the larger frame of the subcontinent's history, writes Geeta Doctor. An archivist historian born in Delhi but living now in Toronto, Canada, Singh finds his focus in the lives of women in colonial Punjab. These are the women, mothers of famous sons who ruled and fought over royal fortresses and strongholds that defined the Punjab; their wives, consorts, courtesans and the daughters, who survived what Singh depicts as a stridently patriarchal society; and their hangers-on who made such lives possible. There are many references to the widows emerging from behind their veils sword in hand to exhort their subjects to resist the invader. There are also equally fascinating portrayals, writes Doctor, of the English women who arrived there either as the wives of missionaries, or of the 'memsahibs' married to 'the newly installed 'administrocacy', if one may coin a word, who arrived often from Bengal, the seat of power.' Ravikant Kisana, an academic specialising in cultural studies, uses Marilyn Loden's concept of 'glass ceiling' to describe savarna supremacy in Meet the Savarnas (Ebury Press). Loden, writes G. Sampath in his review, used it to explain how patriarchy and sexism hold women back. Kisana writes: 'Think of south Asia — India especially — as full of people sitting in a cramped and dirty basement… looking up at what is a glass ceiling for them but is, in fact, a floor above which lives a very small group of people.' The group above are the savarnas, who 'have access to all the switches in all the rooms of the house, including the basement. They switch on the lights and switch them off at will.' A glass floor that's also a glass ceiling is a powerful image, points out Sampath. 'It encapsulates the invisible barriers that kick in to prevent someone from rising above their caste-mandated station while also protecting those above from falling lower, thereby cementing the segregation of the basement dwellers from those above ground. The vantage point of caste discourse in India is typically above the glass floor, looking down.' 'Kisana, in a startling inversion, points the lens of anthropological scrutiny upwards, from below the glass floor. What emerges is a searing social commentary that unpeels, with wit and precision, layers of congenital hypocrisy, narcissistic entitlement and delusions of grandeur that have propped up a hereditary elite's fantasies about themselves,' says Sampath. When Isabel Angélica Allende Llona was around nine years old, she travelled with her grandfather to the Argentinian Patagonia, where he had sheep. 'We went by train from Santiago as far to the south as the train would go, continued by car, crossed the Andes on horseback, and on the other side, we were picked up by rangers,' she writes via email to Anushree Nande as they discuss her works, and particularly her new novel My Name is Emilia del Valle (translated by Frances Riddle, published by Bloomsbury). 'That journey is engraved in my memory. That's Chile for me, the country I long for,' says Allende. This deep longing and loss is present in every single book Allende, now 83, has written, including her bestselling debut The House of the Spirits (1982). From the moment she flew to Venezuela where she would remain for 13 years, Chile stopped being hers in the way it had till then, and everything changed forever, says Nande. 'Over the years, Allende would keep interrogating the themes of displacement and identity, of memory and family, as well as the potent links between the personal and the historical, through her stories.' Her new novel is set between San Francisco and Chile. Spotlight At 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, the Japanese port city of Hiroshima was struck by the world's first atomic bomb that had been built in the U.S. by the top-secret Manhattan Project. Dropped by a B-29 Superfortress, a long-range bomber, the weapon destroyed large parts of the city, and killed tens of thousands. Iain MacGregor's The Hiroshima Men (Constable/Hachette India) traces the path to the attack and its aftermath through the experiences of several key characters, including General Leslie Groves, leader of the Manhattan Project alongside Robert Oppenheimer; pioneering Army Air Force bomber pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets II; the mayor of Hiroshima, Senkichi Awaya, who died in the attack; and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist John Hersey, who exposed the devastation the bomb inflicted on a city and its people. Read an excerpt. Browser
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Police search bookshops in Kashmir; authors, parties aghast over L-G's move declaring 25 books as ‘forfeited'
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday (August 7, 2025) launched wide searches of bookshops across the Kashmir Valley to seize 25 books declared as 'forfeited' by the Lieutenant-Governor's administration, even as the move evoked sharp reactions from several authors and political parties. The police scanned the ongoing Chinar Book Festival 2025 at Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). 'We were asked if we possess A.G. Noorani's book The Kashmir Dispute, 1947-2012. We have no books available that were listed as forfeited,' a salesman said on the condition of anonymity. Stalls of several publishers like Milli Publications were searched for any book authored by Islamic scholar Moulana Moudadi. 'We were forewarned about bringing books authored by Moudadi to the book fair in Srinagar this year,' a Delhi-based publisher said. The J&K Home department, which comes under the Lieutenant-Governor, invoked Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) to categorise 25 books as 'forfeited'. Police officials said raids were conducted on bookshops in Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Handwara districts 'for search and forfeiture of the banned books'. 'The objective of the operation was to identify, seize, and forfeit any literature that propagates or systematically disseminates false narratives, promotes secessionist ideologies, or otherwise poses a threat to the sovereignty and unity of India,' the police said. There is growing opposition to the L-G administration's move to list books of prominent writers, including Christopher Snedden, A.G. Noorani, Sumantra Bose, Ayesha Jalal, Sugata Bose; Arundhati Roy, Stephen P. Cohen, Anuradha Bhasin and Seema Qazi, as 'forfeited for propagating false narrative and secessionism' in J&K. Author Anuradha Bhasin said the books listed by the Home department were 'well-researched and not one glorifies terrorism'. 'I challenge them to prove a single word that glorifies terrorism. For those who value truth, read it and judge for yourself,' Ms. Bhasin, whose book A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370 was listed as 'forfeited'. Former Union Home Secretary Gopal Pillai and former Kashmir interlocutor Radha Kumar, who co-chair the Forum of Human Rights in J&K, said, 'The Forum strongly protests the L-G's notification. It's another example of the suppression of dissent through censorship, a practice which is becoming widespread across India and has been at its worst in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019.' The Forum warned that 'in days to come, even possession of the forfeited books will be criminalised'. 'Police raids and claims of possession of incriminating literature are already misused to impose charges under the draconian UAPA and PSA. This notification institutionalises that malpractice and must be withdrawn,' the Forum said. Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said censorship doesn't silence ideas, it amplifies their resonance. 'Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas. Banning books cannot erase history, it only fuels division. In Kashmir, suppressing democratic voices and fundamental freedoms deepens alienation and mistrust,' Ms. Mufti said. Imran Nabi Dar, spokesperson of the ruling National Conference, said if these books actually incited violence or glorified terrorism, then the administration is right in banning them. 'However, if the government is trying to create a narrative, then that is an issue. These books include respected authors like A.G. Noorani, whose work is considered a benchmark of well-researched scholarship.' Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said banning books by scholars and reputed historians 'will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of the people of Kashmir'. 'It only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions, and the contradiction in proudly hosting the ongoing Book Festival to showcase literary commitment,' the Mirwaiz said. CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami deplored the ban on 25 books. 'A blatant act of censorship and an attack on free speech. I call for immediate revocation and protection of freedom of expression,' Mr. Tarigami said.
5 days ago
- Politics
Indian authorities in Kashmir ban books by eminent writers and scholars
SRINAGAR, India -- Indian authorities have banned 25 books in Kashmir that they say propagate 'false narratives' and 'secessionism' in the disputed region, where strict controls on the press have escalated in recent years. The ban threatens people with prison time for selling or owning works by authors such as Booker Prize-winning novelist and activist Arundhati Roy, constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and noted academicians and historians like Sumantra Bose, Christopher Snedden and Victoria Schofield. The order was issued on Tuesday by the region's Home Department, which is under the direct control of Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, New Delhi's top administrator in Kashmir. Sinha wields substantial power in the region as the national government's representative, while elected officials run a largely powerless government that came to power last year after the first local election since India stripped the disputed region of its special status in 2019. The order declared the 25 books 'forfeit' under India's new criminal code of 2023, effectively banning the works from circulation, possession and access within the Himalayan region. Various elements of the code threaten prison terms of three years, seven years or even life for offenses related to forfeit media, although no one has yet been jailed under them. 'The identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India,' the Home Department said in its notice. It said such books played 'a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State.' The action was taken following 'investigations and credible intelligence' about 'systemic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature' that was 'often disguised as historical or political commentary,' it said. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. Since 2019, authorities have increasingly criminalized dissent and shown no tolerance for any narrative that questions India's sovereignty over Kashmir. In February, police raided bookstores and seized hundreds of books linked to a major Islamic organization in the region. In 2011, police filed charges against Kashmir education officials over a textbook for first graders that illustrated the word 'tyrant' with a sketch resembling a police official. A year earlier to that, police arrested a college lecturer on charges he gave his students an English exam filled with questions attacking a crackdown on demonstrations challenging Indian rule in the region. In some cases, the accused were freed after police questioning but most of these cases have lingered on in India's notoriously slow judicial system. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance leader in Kashmir, condemned the book ban. 'Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of people of Kashmir,' Mirwaiz said in a statement. He questioned authorities for organizing an ongoing book festival to showcase its literary commitment but on ground banning some books. 'It only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions, and the contradiction in proudly hosting the ongoing Book Festival.' Banning books is not common in India, but authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have increasingly raided independent media houses, jailed journalists and sought to re-write history in school and university textbooks to promote the Hindu nationalist vision of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Meanwhile, curriculums related to Muslim Mughal rulers who ruled much of India between sixteenth and nineteenth centuries have been altered or removed. Last year, An Indian court ended decades-old ban on Salman Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses' owing to absence of any official order that had banned the book in 1988.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indian authorities in Kashmir ban books by eminent writers and scholars
Indian authorities have banned 25 books in Kashmir that they say propagate "false narratives' and "secessionism' in the disputed region, where strict controls on the press have escalated in recent years. The ban threatens people with prison time for selling or owning works by authors such as Booker Prize-winning novelist and activist Arundhati Roy, constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and noted academicians and historians like Sumantra Bose, Christopher Snedden and Victoria Schofield. The order was issued on Tuesday by the region's Home Department, which is under the direct control of Lt Gov Manoj Sinha, New Delhi's top administrator in Kashmir. Sinha wields substantial power in the region as the national government's representative, while elected officials run a largely powerless government that came to power last year after the first local election since India stripped the disputed region of its special status in 2019. The order declared the 25 books "forfeit' under India's new criminal code of 2023, effectively banning the works from circulation, possession and access within the Himalayan region. Various elements of the code threaten prison terms of three years, seven years or even life for offenses related to forfeit media, although no one has yet been jailed under them. "The identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India,' the Home Department said in its notice. It said such books played "a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State.' The action was taken following "investigations and credible intelligence' about "systemic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature' that was "often disguised as historical or political commentary,' it said. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. A pedestrian walks past a book cart along a roadside in Srinagar on Aug 7. Photo: AFP Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. Since 2019, authorities have increasingly criminalized dissent and shown no tolerance for any narrative that questions India's sovereignty over Kashmir. In February, police raided bookstores and seized hundreds of books linked to a major Islamic organization in the region. In 2011, police filed charges against Kashmir education officials over a textbook for first graders that illustrated the word "tyrant' with a sketch resembling a police official. A year earlier to that, police arrested a college lecturer on charges he gave his students an English exam filled with questions attacking a crackdown on demonstrations challenging Indian rule in the region. In some cases, the accused were freed after police questioning but most of these cases have lingered on in India's notoriously slow judicial system. The order declared the 25 books 'forfeit' under India's new criminal code of 2023, effectively banning the works from circulation, possession and access within the Himalayan region. Photo: AP Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance leader in Kashmir, condemned the book ban. "Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of people of Kashmir,' Mirwaiz said in a statement. He questioned authorities for organizing an ongoing book festival to showcase its literary commitment but on ground banning some books. "It only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions, and the contradiction in proudly hosting the ongoing Book Festival.' Banning books is not common in India, but authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have increasingly raided independent media houses, jailed journalists and sought to re-write history in school and university textbooks to promote the Hindu nationalist vision of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Meanwhile, curriculums related to Muslim Mughal rulers who ruled much of India between sixteenth and nineteenth centuries have been altered or removed. Last year, An Indian court ended decades-old ban on Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses owing to absence of any official order that had banned the book in 1988. - AP
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Arundhati Roy's Azadi among 25 books banned by J&K for ‘false narratives'
The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned 25 books, claiming they promote a 'false narrative and secessionism' in the Union Territory. Among the banned titles are Azadi by author Arundhati Roy, The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012 by constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and political scientist Sumantra Bose's Kashmir at the Crossroads and Contested Lands. According to a notification issued by the Home Department on Tuesday (August 5), the ban was based on 'credible evidence' that such content—often presented as historical or political analysis—has contributed to 'youth participation violence and terrorism.' 'This literature would deeply impact the psyche of youth by promoting culture of grievance, victimhood and terrorist heroism. Some of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalization of youth in J&K include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism,' the notification reads. The government has declared 25 books published by various publishing houses — including Routledge, Stanford University Press, and Oxford University Press — as 'forfeited' under Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. According to the notification, the books were 'found to excite secessionism and endanger the sovereignty and integrity of India,' thereby invoking provisions under Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. While Section 98 of the BNSS 2023 empowers the government to declare certain publications as 'forfeited', Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the BNS 2023 relate to 'assault without grave provocation', 'obstruction of public servants', and 'failure to assist them when legally bound', respectively. The government has ordered the forfeiture of 25 books, along with all copies and related documents.
