The books evoked a sharp reaction in the Jammu province, especially from the BJP. In the face of public outcry, the controversial books were withdrawn. File
| Photo Credit: Imran Nissar
Two books published under the library grant of the central scheme, Samagra Shiksha, in Jammu and Kashmir were on July 7 identified as ones that contained “inappropriate” and “objectionable” contents. One of them is “Personalities and Legends of J&K”, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh
Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu. Another is “Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir”, authored by Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi. In one of the books, separatist leaders like Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muslim League Jammu Kashmir chief Masarat Alam and J&K Liberation Front founder Maqbool Bhat are profiled. The book refers to J&K as “India Occupied”, “India held” and “India administered” and praises the separatist leaders for their role in Kashmir’s history.
Published – July 11, 2026 09:26 am IST
