Writers must correct distorted historical accounts: L-G Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said writers must do research and use critical proof to challenge and correct the misleading historical accounts.

Sinha, who was speaking at the inaugural function of Kashmir Literature Festival, said during colonial era and after independence “a certain group of writers distorted our history to shape their ideological agenda.”

“Today the young historians must provide accurate and factually correct accounts challenging those lies. In the last few years, new writers have tried to do justice to the history of India, which is an excellent initiative. Efforts are also being made to take Indian literature to the world, which is highly commendable,” the Lt Governor said.

He also called for correcting the narrative regarding J&K by identifying the misinformation and countering it with verified facts.

“For decades, a manipulated narrative was propagated here in Jammu and Kashmir. Writers and media figures grudgingly admit that, out of fear of terrorists and their ecosystem, they were forced to promote the narrative being pushed from across the border in the Valley. The terror ecosystem has been dismantled and now is the time to present the true narrative of Jammu and Kashmir, free from all bias and fear of gun, to strengthen the trust and accelerate socio-economic growth,” Sinha said.

Sinha also highlighted the need for offering new perspectives and vision to the readers in a rapidly evolving world to meet unprecedented challenges and opportunities, and understanding of nature, culture and people’s well-being.