Jammu University has banned three authors and blacklisted two publishers after their books were found to glorify separatists and anti-national elements. Departments and libraries have been ordered to withdraw these publications immediately and conduct audits to ensure no such material remains.
The banned authors include Hilal Ahmad, Santosh Meena, and Dr. Sushant Giri. The blacklisted publishers are Oberoi Book Service (Jammu) and Anurag Prakashan (Delhi). The controversial books are Personalities and Legends of J&K and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, both accused of glorifying separatists.
University directives mandate that all departments withdraw the books, stop future procurement from these authors and publishers, and submit compliance reports. Advisory Committees will screen future acquisitions, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is being drafted to prevent recurrence.
The ban follows Government Order No. 257-JK (Edu) of 2026, issued on July 4, 2026, after books distributed under the Samagra Shiksha Mission were accused of promoting separatist ideology. Police investigations have led to arrests of publishers under UAPA charges.
The move underscores the tension between academic freedom and national security. Libraries must overhaul procurement processes, and publishers face legal consequences, signaling stricter scrutiny of educational content in Jammu & Kashmir.
