SRINAGAR: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) leader and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed has sought a complete list of 6,519 books reportedly removed from libraries of colleges and institutions under the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Khursheed, accompanied by AIP State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, said he had raised a starred question in the ongoing Assembly session seeking details of books that had been banned or removed from libraries across Jammu and Kashmir.
He alleged that the question was kept back, preventing him from asking supplementary questions and seeking further clarification from the government.
Khursheed said the government’s response mentioned that approximately 6,519 books had been removed but did not provide their titles, authors, subjects or publishers.
He sought the complete list of the books along with details of their authors, titles, subjects and publishing houses, saying the information was necessary to understand the basis on which the books had been removed.
“The government must clarify who authorised the removal of these books and under what policy or criteria the decisions were taken,” he said.
Khursheed said the issue had implications for access to literature and the preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s history and academic record. He also sought clarification on reports that books containing references to “Kashmir” had been removed from some libraries.
“If any such criterion has been applied, the government should clarify under whose directions and on what basis,” he said.
The AIP leader also questioned what he described as the government’s approach towards freedom of expression and access to literature in Jammu and Kashmir. He drew a comparison with the promotion of The Kashmir Files, saying that while the film addressed the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits, literature dealing with the wider history and political realities of Kashmir should not be selectively excluded.
He also criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government, alleging that it had remained silent on the issue and had failed to challenge measures concerning literature and academic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Khursheed said AIP would pursue the matter when the Assembly session resumes and again seek the complete details of the books.
He said the party would also share a copy of the Assembly question and the government’s response with the media so that the public could examine the information.
“Whether the government answers or not, it is important that the public knows what was asked and what information was sought,” he said.
