Arundhati’s book among 25 banned in J&K over ‘secessionism’

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned 25 books, including those by prominent authors Arundhati Roy and AG Noorani, for allegedly propagating false narrative and promoting secessionism in the UT.

A notification issued by the J&K Home Department said, “Twentyfive books have been identified that propagate false narratives and secessionism in J&K and are hereby declared ‘forfeited’ under Section 98 of the BNSS

Among the books forfeited are ‘The Kashmir Dispute 1947-2012’ by AG Noorani, ‘In Search of a Future: The Story of Kashmir’ by David Devadas, ‘A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370’ by Anuradha Bhasin, ‘Confronting Terrorism’ edited by Maroof Raza, ‘Between Democrary and Nation’ by Seema Kazi and ‘Azadi’ by Arundhati Roy, among others.

The notification, issued by the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, states: “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”.

It further states that such literature deeply impacts the psyche of youth by promoting a culture of grievance, victimhood, and terrorist heroism. “Some of the ways 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 and providing pathways to violence and terrorism.”

The crackdown follows intelligence inputs suggesting that terror organisations might be attempting to fuel secessionist ideology among Kashmir’s youth.