Jammu Kashmir Orders Massive Screening of Books in Kashmir Schools
Public Lokpal
July 09, 2026
Jammu Kashmir Orders Massive Screening of Books in Kashmir Schools
Srinagar: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has ordered an immediate, sweeping audit of all literature across government schools, private institutions, and coaching centres in the Kashmir division. Heads of institutions must screen libraries, classrooms, and offices to identify and remove any "objectionable or inappropriate" content that hurts religious sentiments, violates laws, or harms national interest.
Reading materials must strictly align with age-appropriate guidelines under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Institutions must submit signed compliance certificates by July 13, 2026, confirming their premises are free of controversial texts.
The directive follows the recent withdrawal of two local history books and a subsequent UAPA FIR against a publisher for allegedly glorifying separatist figures. While administration officials defend the move as vital for academic integrity and national security, local political leaders have criticized the mandate, warning it encourages censorship and erodes historical discourse.