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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Will only fuel division': Kashmir police raid bookstores, seize banned titles; crackdown targets ‘subversive' literature
A view of a book store in Srinagar. (AP Photo) 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Crackdown on ‘seditious' literature in J&K: Police seize banned books
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. 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. CPM opposed the ban and demanded its immediate revocation. Former CM and opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said: 'Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas. Banning books cannot erase history, it only fuels division.' Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called the ban an 'exposure of insecurity and limited understanding' by those behind it. 'The contradiction lies in hosting a literary festival while silencing dissenting literature,' he said.
The Hindu
2 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.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
J&K LG Bans 25 Books For False Narratives And Glorification Of Terrorism
The LG Administration of Jammu and Kashmir, implementing a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order, has banned 25 books for allegedly promoting 'false narratives', 'secessionism', and the glorification of radicalization and terrorism. The ban has triggered a new debate. While some support the decision, others argue it will have little effect in the digital age. Following the MHA order, police began raiding bookshops across Kashmir. However, as of 5 PM, no copies of the banned books had been found in bookstores. The raids are ongoing. The MHA issued the ban on August 5, citing concerns that the books promote separatist ideology and glorify terrorism, which threatens India's sovereignty and integrity. The order, issued by the Home Department, invokes Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, declaring the books forfeited. This means their publication, sale, and circulation are prohibited, and existing copies may be seized. The ban coincides with the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which removed Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status. The government claims these books, often presented as historical or political commentary, promote separatism, glorify terrorism, distort history, vilify security forces, and radicalize youth. The books are said to violate Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which address threats to national sovereignty, promotion of enmity, and actions harmful to national integration. The ban has reignited debates on freedom of expression, with critics calling it an attempt to suppress dissent and academic dialogue. Anuradha Bhasin, author of one of the banned books, called the ban 'bizarre' and said the books are well-researched, denying any glorification of terrorism. She suggested the government fears challenges to its narrative on Article 370. CPI(M) MP V Sivadasan described the ban as 'very painful' and urged democratic forces to oppose it, citing India's democratic and secular ethos. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the Hurriyat Conference said the ban exposed the government's insecurities, adding that it would not erase history or the lived experiences of Kashmiris. A senior journalist and editor from Kashmir said the ban would have little impact in the digital age, as books are widely available online. 'The ban is only in Jammu and Kashmir. A person can read or buy these books anywhere else in the world. And when something is banned, it increases curiosity.' Rashid Rahil, a prominent Kashmiri journalist, said, 'Ideological wars are fought differently now. I don't think a book ban works in the digital age when everything is available online. If the ban was global, it would be a different matter. Banning only fuels curiosity.' There was no strong response from major political parties in Kashmir. The PDP criticized the move, questioning the MHA's decision-making process. 'The same mistake was made during the abrogation of Article 370, without taking the people of Jammu and Kashmir into confidence. Youth are now seeking answers and exploring history,' a party spokesperson said. PDP Spokesperson Iqbal Tarmboo said, 'I don't understand who gives this type of feedback to the MHA. These policies have a negative impact. In the age of information, you cannot hide knowledge. Everything is online. Instead of banning, we should be working to ensure the youth aren't drawn to harmful content.' On the other hand, the BJP praised the ban as a move to curb anti-national narratives. Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board and BJP leader, called the ban a 'good step,' adding that books promoting separatism should have been banned long ago. She said, 'The 35 years of terrorism in Kashmir weren't driven only by guns but also by pens that glorified it. That dark era must not remain in our books.' The government says the ban aims to protect national security and curb radicalization among youth. The ban coincided with the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, where many authors and publishers gathered. The event drew large crowds of students and readers. Some visitors supported the ban, while others were critical. Amir Nazir, a student, said, 'Everyone reads books of their own interest. If the government thinks certain books are harmful, we have no issue. They know better.' Imtiyaz Hussain, an Islamic scholar, said, 'If a book is bad for society, it should be banned. But banning it in just one state isn't effective. If it's harmful, ban it globally.' This is not the first book ban in Kashmir. In February 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Police seized 668 books linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami organization as part of a wider crackdown on radical content.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
X handles of Turkish, Chinese media organisations blocked in India
The X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Turkish broadcaster TRT World, Chinese official news agency Xinhua, and the state-run tabloid newspaper Global Times News have been blocked in India amid a crackdown on 'anti-India content' against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor that targeted Pakistani terrorist infrastructure. The websites of the news organisations were accessible at the time of writing this article. A series of X accounts have been blocked for spreading 'anti-India content,' much of which is alleged to be linked to or supportive of narratives from Pakistan. The blocking coincided with Operation Sindoor, which was launched in the early hours of May 7. India hit nine terror camps and multiple Pakistani military targets before the ceasefire was announced on May 10. A government official neither confirmed nor denied whether new blocking orders were issued to X. More accounts may be added as the situation evolves, the official added. The official said that less popular accounts sharing 'anti-India content' will also be taken down. On May 8, X said it received executive orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts in India, including those of international news organisations and prominent X users. X voiced disagreement over the orders. 'Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.' Turkey and China supported Pakistan during the conflict with India. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed solidarity with what he called the 'brotherly' state of Pakistan. In response, a 'Ban Turkey' campaign gained traction on Indian social media, with users calling for sanctions against Ankara. In a strongly worded thread addressed to Global Times, the Indian embassy in Beijing on May 7 criticised the outlet's coverage of Operation Sindoor, accusing it of spreading disinformation. '...we would recommend you verify your facts and cross-examine your sources before pushing out this kind of disinformation,' the embassy wrote. It added that several pro-Pakistan handles were spreading baseless claims in the context of Operation Sindoor, attempting to mislead the public. 'When media outlets share such information without verifying sources, it reflects a serious lapse in responsibility and journalistic ethics.' X accounts of independent media outlets, including Maktoob Media, The Kashmiriyat, and Free Press Kashmir, and prominent journalists Anuradha Bhasin (Kashmir Times) and Indian Express's Muzamil Jaleel remain blocked on the micro-blogging platform.
