Police search bookshops in Kashmir; authors, parties aghast over L-G’s move declaring 25 books as ‘forfeited’

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday (August 7, 2025) launched wide searches of bookshops across the Kashmir Valley to seize 25 books declared as “forfeited” by the Lieutenant-Governor’s administration, even as the move evoked sharp reactions from several authors and political parties.

The police scanned the ongoing Chinar Book Festival 2025 at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). “We were asked if we possess A.G. Noorani’s book The Kashmir Dispute, 1947-2012. We have no books available that were listed as forfeited,” a salesman said on the condition of anonymity.

Stalls of several publishers like Milli Publications were searched for any book authored by Islamic scholar Moulana Moudadi. “We were forewarned about bringing books authored by Moudadi to the book fair in Srinagar this year,” a Delhi-based publisher said.

The J&K Home department, which comes under the Lieutenant-Governor, invoked Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) to categorise 25 books as “forfeited”.

Police officials said raids were conducted on bookshops in Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Handwara districts “for search and forfeiture of the banned books”.

“The objective of the operation was to identify, seize, and forfeit any literature that propagates or systematically disseminates false narratives, promotes secessionist ideologies, or otherwise poses a threat to the sovereignty and unity of India,” the police said.

There is growing opposition to the L-G administration’s move to list books of prominent writers, including Christopher Snedden, A.G. Noorani, Sumantra Bose, Ayesha Jalal, Sugata Bose; Arundhati Roy, Stephen P. Cohen, Anuradha Bhasin and Seema Qazi, as “forfeited for propagating false narrative and secessionism” in J&K.

Author Anuradha Bhasin said the books listed by the Home department were “well-researched and not one glorifies terrorism”. “I challenge them to prove a single word that glorifies terrorism. For those who value truth, read it and judge for yourself,” Ms. Bhasin, whose book A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370 was listed as “forfeited”.

Former Union Home Secretary Gopal Pillai and former Kashmir interlocutor Radha Kumar, who co-chair the Forum of Human Rights in J&K, said, “The Forum strongly protests the L-G’s notification. It’s another example of the suppression of dissent through censorship, a practice which is becoming widespread across India and has been at its worst in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019.”

The Forum warned that “in days to come, even possession of the forfeited books will be criminalised”. “Police raids and claims of possession of incriminating literature are already misused to impose charges under the draconian UAPA and PSA. This notification institutionalises that malpractice and must be withdrawn,” the Forum said.

Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said censorship doesn’t silence ideas, it amplifies their resonance. “Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas. Banning books cannot erase history, it only fuels division. In Kashmir, suppressing democratic voices and fundamental freedoms deepens alienation and mistrust,” Ms. Mufti said.

Imran Nabi Dar, spokesperson of the ruling National Conference, said if these books actually incited violence or glorified terrorism, then the administration is right in banning them. “However, if the government is trying to create a narrative, then that is an issue. These books include respected authors like A.G. Noorani, whose work is considered a benchmark of well-researched scholarship.”

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said banning books by scholars and reputed historians “will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of the people of Kashmir”. “It only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions, and the contradiction in proudly hosting the ongoing Book Festival to showcase literary commitment,” the Mirwaiz said.

CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami deplored the ban on 25 books. “A blatant act of censorship and an attack on free speech. I call for immediate revocation and protection of freedom of expression,” Mr. Tarigami said.

Published – August 07, 2025 10:20 pm IST