J&K schoolbook draws outrage for 'glorifying' terrorists, separatists

A book allegedly approved for government school libraries in Jammu and Kashmir has triggered outrage over its content, with claims it praises terrorists and separatists, setting off demands for a ban and a high-level investigation.

In Short

• The publication allegedly carries the Samagra Shiksha logo in Jammu and Kashmir
• It reportedly describes Maqbool Bhat as a shaheed, drawing strong objections
• Separatist figures Geelani, Masarat Alam and Mirwaiz are portrayed favourably, critics allege

A political storm over schoolbooks allegedly glorifying terrorists and pro-Pakistan separatists in Jammu and Kashmir has prompted a sweeping crackdown, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspending eight School Education Department officials, ordering a high-level inquiry and blacklisting the books' authors and publishers.

The action comes after the controversial books, approved for government school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha programme, triggered outrage across political parties and civil society. The publications allegedly described terrorists and separatist leaders as "great personalities", referred to Jammu and Kashmir as "Indian Held Kashmir" and "Indian Occupied Kashmir", and, according to the BJP, praised Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

The School Education Department has withdrawn both books from circulation and ordered that all material authored or published by the blacklisted publishers be removed from the Union Territory.

WHAT SPARKED THE ROW

The controversy erupted after excerpts from one of the books, Personalities and Legends of J&K, surfaced publicly.

India Today accessed portions of the publication which allegedly describe JKLF terrorist Maqbool Bhat as a "Shaheed" and glorify hardline pro-Pakistan separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Alam.

The BJP has also alleged that the book praises Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The publication further drew criticism for referring to Jammu and Kashmir as "Indian Held Kashmir" and "Indian Occupied Kashmir".

Questions were also raised over how the book was approved for government school libraries as it carried the logo of Samagra Shiksha, Jammu and Kashmir.

TWO BOOKS BANNED

The School Education Department found that not one but two books contained "highly inappropriate content".

The books are Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, authored by Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.

According to the department's order, 123 copies of one book were supplied to schools in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other were supplied to schools in Jammu and Baramulla districts.

"It has come to the notice of the department that these books have highly inappropriate content. It is quite evident that there was serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of proper due diligence carried out by the members of the Sub Committee Series 4 and Supervisory Officers while recommending such books which contained content related to separatism which has potential for creating law and order situations," the order said.

The order added that the members of the committee appeared responsible for "serious lapses and negligence unbecoming of government servants".

EIGHT OFFICIALS SUSPENDED

Acting under Rule 31(1)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, the administration suspended eight officials with immediate effect.

The suspended officials are Fazil Imran Saddiqui, Coordinator Library, Samagra Shiksha; Gurjeet Singh, Assistant Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha; Sanjeev Sharma, Principal, GHSS Kore Pannu; Shazia Kouser, Academic Officer, SCERT Jammu; Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir, Lecturer, BHSS Wathoora Budgam; Niranjan Sharma, Lecturer, GHSS Badhat Kishtwar; Renu Mengi, Lecturer, DIET Jammu; and Rajmohini, Lecturer, GGHSS Poonch.

During the suspension period, they will remain attached to the administrative department of the School Education Department.

The administration also disengaged Sheikh Suheel Ahmad, a contractual Computer Assistant assisting the Coordinator Library under Samagra Shiksha.

30-DAY INQUIRY ORDERED

Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, the Lieutenant Governor appointed Ashwani Kumar, Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, as the inquiry officer.

Rohit Sharma, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, has been appointed as the presenting officer.

The inquiry officer has been directed to submit a report within 30 days.

The administration has also banned and blacklisted the authors and publishers of both books in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Any printed material authored or published by them shall also be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir," the order said.

BJP DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY

The controversy snowballed after the BJP accused the administration of allowing anti-national material to enter government school libraries and demanded action against those responsible.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, said the books had been distributed to schools across the Union Territory.

"These books have been distributed to libraries in numerous schools across Jammu and Kashmir. This is a grave offence. A book that praises Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks; a book that refers to J&K as 'Indian-occupied Kashmir' – such a book is objectionable and controversial. It must be banned immediately," Sharma said.

"Be it the author, the publisher, the expert committee, and I wish to emphasise this, even the Education Minister, must be held accountable. It is the duty of the head of the government to immediately remove the Education Minister," he added.

Calling the episode "academic jihad", Sharma alleged there was a deliberate attempt to "poison young minds" and revive separatism through the education system.

"There is absolutely no doubt that there is a specific agenda behind this; it is a massive conspiracy. We have no doubt that the National Conference government is involved in this from top to bottom," he alleged.

The BJP demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Itoo.

CONGRESS, CIVIL SOCIETY SEEK PROBE

The Congress also demanded a high-level inquiry into how the books were approved and distributed.

"There is no place for such mischief if the book carries objectionable content as being learnt, a high-level probe should be conducted to identify the culprits who allowed the book to be supplied to schools and government institutions," Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said.

He said the books should remain banned until the inquiry is completed and added that "the conspiracy behind the publication of the book needs to be exposed".

Civil society groups, including the Jammu and Kashmir People's Forum, also urged the administration to ban the books and act against those responsible.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police SP Vaid called the issue "a matter of grave concern".

"This book poses serious threat and can radicalise school children. The government must immediately withdraw this book and also apologise to the families of the security forces who have laid down lives for the nation," Vaid said.

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