The Indian government has ordered the verification of thousands of books held in schools, colleges, universities and government libraries in Jammu and Kashmir. The order has prompted a question from some academics, researchers and writers: is the history of Kashmir being written anew?
The administration of the Indian union territory has said the step was taken in order to identify and remove books that are “anti-state,” that “encourage separatism” or that are “against the national interest.” Critics allege, however, that behind it lies an attempt to rewrite Kashmir’s political history and its many-sided past to fit the official account. The information was given in a report by Middle East Eye.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration recently directed government educational institutions and libraries to carry out a full audit of the books in their collections. They have been asked to draw up a list of, and remove, any books that appear to contain statements, maps, pictures or information considered anti-state or objectionable.
The administration says the purpose of the step is to keep educational institutions free of any book that could encourage separatism, violence or anti-India propaganda.
The order arose from certain books in the libraries of several government schools. It was alleged that those books referred to Kashmir as “India-occupied Kashmir” and described the separatist leader Maqbool Bhat as a “martyr.” Eight education department officials were suspended after the incident. Police began an investigation and three publishers concerned were also arrested.
The controversy has not stopped there. Academics fear the administration’s drive will not be confined to a few books. Many books written on history, political science, human rights, conflict studies and the political evolution of Kashmir have now also come under administrative scrutiny. In their view, a risk has been created that any book that does not match the official position will be marked “anti-state.”
A Kashmiri researcher told Middle East Eye that this was not merely a matter of removing books but an attempt to erase history. Understanding a society’s past requires many perspectives, the researcher said, and it is that many-sided history that is now being narrowed.
In the words of another academic, when the state decides which book may be read and which may not, universities and libraries cease to be places of free intellectual enquiry. They gradually become instruments for establishing the official account.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report