Latest news with #BharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita2023
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 Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Pathway to terrorism: Arundhati Roy's 'Azadi' among 25 books banned in J&K
The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared the publication of 25 books, including those written by famous authors like Moulana Moudadi, Arundhati Roy, AG Noorani, Victoria Schofield and David Devadas, as forfeited for "promoting false narratives and glorifying terrorism"."It has come to the notice of the Government that certain literature propagates false narratives and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir," an order issued by the Home Department on Wednesday said available evidence based on investigations and credible intelligence "unflinchingly indicate" that a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism has been the "systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often disguised as historical or political commentary". It plays a critical role in "misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence" against India, the order said this literature would deeply impact the psyche of the youth by "promoting culture of grievance, victimhood and terrorist heroism"."Some of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalisation of youth in J&K include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalisation, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism etc.," it this context, 25 books have been identified that propagate "false narrative and secessionism" in J&K and need to be declared as "forfeited" in terms of Section 98 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the order identified 25 books have been found to "excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India", thereby, attracting the provisions of sections 152, 196 and 197 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, it said."Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares publication of 25 books and their copies or other documents to be forfeited to the government," the order books include 'Al Jihadul fil Islam' by Islamic scholar and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, Moulana Moudadi, 'Independent Kashmir' by Australian author Christopher Snedden, 'In Search of a Future (The Story of Kasimir)' by David Devadas, 'Kashmir in Conflict (India, Pakistan and the unending War)' by Victoria Schofield, 'The Kashmir Dispute (1947-2012)' by A G Noorani, and 'Azadi' by Arundhati Roy.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir#Bharatiya Janta Party
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
J&K government declares 25 books on Kashmir forfeited for exciting secessionism and endangering sovereignty of India
The Home Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a notification declaring 25 books on Kashmir as forfeited for allegedly exciting secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India. The books have been banned under section 98 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and sections 152, 196,197 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Some of the authors whose books have been banned include A G Noorani, Sumatra Bose, Arundhati Roy, Maulana Maududi, Pankaj Mishra, Victoria Schofield, Stephen P Cohen, Hasan ul Bana, David Devdas, Hafsa Kanjwal and others. The books have been published by some prominent houses including Oxford University Press, Routledge, Stanford University Press, University of Pennsylvania Press, Harper Collins, Cambridge University Press, Penguin India and other publishing houses. The notification issued by the Home Department, which is under the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha,stated that it has come to the notice of the government that certain literature propagates false narrative and secessionism in J&K. 'Available evidence based on investigations and credible intelligence unflinchingly indicate that a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism has been the systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often disguised as historical or political commentary, while playing a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State,' read the notification issued on August, 5, 2025, also the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 (A) and downgrading of the J&K into the two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. The notification states that this literature would 'deeply impact the psyche of youth by promoting culture of grievance, victim hood 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, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence, terrorism, etc,' read the notification. The notification mentioned that 25 books have been identified that propagate false narrative and secessionism in J&K and need to be declared as 'forfeited' in terms of Section 98 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; and whereas; the identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India, thereby, attracting the provisions of sections 152, 196 & 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. 'Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 98 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares publication of 25 books, forming Annexure 'A' to this Notification, and their copies or other documents to be forfeited to the Government', the notification added. The list of the 25 books banned include, Human Rights Violation in Kashmir by Piotr Balcerowicz and Angnieszka Kuszewka, Kashmir's Fight for Freedom by Muhammad Yusuf Saraf, Colonizing Kashmir by Hafsa Kanjwal, Kashmir Politics and Plebiscite by Dr Abdul Jabbar Gockhami, Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora, by Essar Batool and others, Mujahid Ki Azan by Imam Hasan ul Bana Shaheed, Al Jihad Fil Islam by Maulana Maududi, Independent Kashmir by Christopher Snedden, Resisting Occupation Kashmir by Haley Duschinski, Mona Bhat, Athar Zia and Cynthia Mahmood, Between Democracy and Nation by Seema Kazi, Contested Lands by Sumantra Bose, In Search of Future by David Devadas, Kashmir in Conflict by Victoria Schofield, The Kashmir Dispute by A G Noorani, Kashmir at the Cross Roads by Sumantra Bose, A Dismantled State by Anuradha Bhasin, Resisting Disappearance by Ather Zia, Confronting Terrorism by Stephen P Cohen, Freedom in Captivity by Radhika Gupta, Kashmir by Tariq Ali, Hilal Bhat, Angana P Chatterjee, Pankaj Mishra and Arundhati Roy, Azadi by Arundhati Roy, USA and Kashmir by Dr Shamshad Shan, Law and Conflict Resolution in Kashmir by Piotr Balcerowicz and Angnieszka Kuszewka, Tarikh i Siyasat e Kashmir by Dr Afaq and Kashmir and the future of South Asia by Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Indore imposes 'no helmet, no petrol' rule to enhance road safety
INDORE: In a significant move to curb road accident fatalities and injuries, Indore district administration issued a stringent order on Wednesday banning the sale of petrol to two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets. The restrictive directive, issued by Collector and District Magistrate Asheesh Singh under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, comes into effect from August 1, 2025. The decision followed a detailed discussion during a meeting of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety held in Indore on July 29, 2025. Collector Singh highlighted the alarming increase in road accidents and associated casualties in the district over recent years. He emphasised that wearing ISI-marked helmets, as mandated by Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act , 1988, can significantly reduce the severity of injuries and prevent untimely deaths. "The risk of accidents and untimely deaths is higher for riders not wearing helmets," said Collector Singh. "It has become crucial to restrict such activities to ensure the safety of human lives." The order explicitly warns that any petrol pump found violating this directive will face legal action. The restriction will not apply to medical emergencies or other unforeseen urgent situations and will be in addition to any existing traffic rules or orders. The order will remain in force until September 29, 2025, and violators, whether individuals or establishments, will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- The Hindu
Decision taken to extend e-filing facility of Kerala High Court to prisons
The Registrar General of the High Court of Kerala has communicated to the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services that it had been decided to extend the e-filing facility of the High Court to the prison authorities, in order to streamline the digital processing of jail appeals and other petitions/applications seeking judicial remedy. As part of this, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be followed upon switching to the new system. In accordance with the decisions that followed a meeting that was held to address the issue of moving jail appeal and applications/petitions seeking parole and furlough in physical mode and to implement an efficient system for filing the same electronically, login credentials have been created for all 57 jails in the State. This has been done in the Case Management System (CMS) handled by the High Court, based on the details forwarded by the Technical Cell, Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services Department. Besides, two separate SOPs were prepared by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) and IT Directorate, High Court respectively detailing the procedures to be followed while adopting the new system. While the SOP prepared by KeLSA intends to establish uniformity across the jails with respect to the service of legal aid defence counsel lawyers, jail visiting lawyers, transmission of necessary documents for appeal to the High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) and other ancillary matters, the SOP prepared by the IT Directorate, High Court aims to streamline the online filing of jail appeals using the CMS login credentials provided to the officer in-charge of the jail, says the communication. Due to the absence of an electronic alternative, jail appeals, filed under S.424 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and other petitions/applications seeking judicial remedy moved by prisoners are at present prepared in paper form and are sent to the High Court for filing, it says.
