AIP MLA seeks details of 6,519 books reportedly removed from J&K college libraries

2 minutes read

NEWS AGENCY KASHMIR NEWS TRUST #KNT

Srinagar, Sep 22, KNT: Awami Itihaad Party MLA from Langate Sheikh Khursheed on Tuesday sought a complete list of around 6,519 books that he said had been removed from libraries of colleges and institutions under the Higher Education Department, questioning the criteria and authority under which the books were taken off the shelves.

Addressing a press conference along with AIP State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, Khursheed said he had raised a starred question in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking details of books that had been banned or removed from libraries and colleges across the Union Territory.

Khursheed said the government response indicated that approximately 6,519 books had been removed, but did not provide details including their titles, authors, subjects or publishers.

He said he wanted the government to provide the complete list so that the Assembly and the public could ascertain which books had been removed and the basis for the decision.

Khursheed also alleged that the starred question was not taken up in a manner that allowed him to raise supplementary questions, depriving him of an opportunity to seek further clarification from the government.

“Approximately 6,519 books have been removed,” Khursheed said, adding that the government had not provided the details sought regarding the books.

He questioned who authorized the removal and under what policy or criteria the decisions were taken, and said the government should clarify whether the exercise involved specific categories of books or particular subjects.

Khursheed also claimed that information gathered by his party indicated that some books containing references to “Kashmir” had been removed from certain libraries. He sought clarification from the government on whether any such criterion had been applied.

The AIP leader linked the issue to access to literature and the preservation of Kashmir’s history and academic record. He also questioned what he described as restrictions on literature, while referring to the promotion of films dealing with aspects of Kashmir’s recent history.

Khursheed said the history and literature of Jammu and Kashmir should not be selectively presented and demanded transparency regarding the books removed from educational institutions.

He also questioned the National Conference-led government over its handling of the issue and said the party had a responsibility to raise matters concerning the region’s history, literature and academic institutions.

Khursheed said AIP would pursue the matter when the Assembly resumes and seek the complete list of the books, along with their authors, titles, subjects and publishers. He said the party would also share a copy of the Assembly question with the media. [KNT]