Srinagar, July 4: In a major administrative action over the circulation of controversial books in government school libraries, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight officials of the School Education Department, disengaged a contractual employee, directed a high-level inquiry, and blacklisted the authors and publishers of two books found carrying objectionable and separatist-related content.
According to Government Order No. 257-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated July 4, a copy of which is available with KNC, the action was initiated after two books supplied under the Samagra Shiksha library programme were found containing highly inappropriate material considered detrimental to public order and educational standards.
The government stated that under the Samagra Shiksha library initiative, financial assistance had been provided for the purchase of age-appropriate books for 18,328 Government Schools and 394 PM SHRI Schools across Jammu and Kashmir. Following an Expression of Interest (EOI), four expert committees comprising academicians from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions were constituted to examine and recommend suitable books for different educational levels.
Based on the recommendations of these committees, 463 books submitted by 364 publishers were approved. However, during a review conducted on July 3, two publications were found to contain objectionable content, prompting their immediate withdrawal from circulation.
The books identified are “Personalities and Legends of J&K”, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu, and “Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir”, authored by Dr. Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.
Official records reveal that 123 copies of the first publication had been distributed in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur, while 128 copies of the second book had reached schools in Jammu and Baramulla districts before being recalled.
The government observed that the books contained material linked to separatist ideology, which had the potential to disturb public order. It further held members of the expert committee and supervising officers responsible for serious negligence, failure to exercise due diligence and lapses during the scrutiny and approval process.
Pending completion of the inquiry, eight officials have been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 31(1)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. Those suspended include the Coordinator Library, Assistant Coordinator of Samagra Shiksha, one Principal, four Lecturers, and one Academic Officer. During the suspension period, all officials shall remain attached to the Administrative Department.
The administration has also ordered the immediate disengagement of Sheikh Suheel Ahmad, a contractual Computer Assistant associated with the Library Coordinator at Samagra Shiksha.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the government has appointed Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department, as the Inquiry Officer, while Rohit Sharma, JKAS, Additional Secretary, General Administration Department, has been designated as the Presenting Officer. The Inquiry Officer has been directed to complete the investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
In another significant decision, the government has banned and blacklisted the authors and publishers of both books throughout the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It has further directed that all publications authored or published by them be immediately withdrawn from circulation across the UT.
The controversy surfaced after the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Forum (JKPF) alleged that the books, procured for government school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, projected separatist leaders and terrorists as prominent personalities of Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue gathered political attention after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma demanded immediate withdrawal of the books, a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible for their approval and distribution.
Earlier, on July 3, the School Education Department had ordered the immediate recall of both publications from all government schools. Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma had also stated that all copies were being withdrawn and action would be taken against every individual involved in the publication, approval, procurement and distribution process.
The latest government order formally implements those directions by initiating disciplinary proceedings, ordering a time-bound inquiry and imposing a complete ban on the concerned authors and publishers across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)
