Eight officials suspended, contractual staff removed
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, removed a contractual staff member, and ordered an inquiry into two controversial books found containing "highly inappropriate content" that allegedly glorified separatism. The action came after the BJP, Congress, and other political groups raised objections.
Books withdrawn after political outcry
The School Education Department said the two books were withdrawn on Friday. The books in question are titled "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 Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi. According to the order, 123 copies of one book were supplied to Jammu, Ramban, and Udhampur districts, and 128 copies of the other were supplied to Jammu and Baramulla districts.
Negligence and dereliction of duty cited
"It has come to the notice of the department that these books have highly inappropriate content, it is quite evident that there was serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of proper due diligence was carried out by the members of the Sub Committee Series 4 and Supervisory Officers while recommending such books which contained content related to separatism which has potential for creating law and order situations," the order stated. The order added that the members of the sub-committee appear responsible for such serious lapses and negligence unbecoming of government servants.
Suspended officials named
The eight suspended officials are: Fazil Imran Saddiqui, Coordinator Library, Samagra Shiksha; Gurjeet Singh, Assistant Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha; Sanjeev Sharma, Principal GHSS, Kore Pannu; Shazia Kouser, Academic Officer, SCERT Jammu; Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir, Lecturer BHSS Wathoora Budgam; Niranjan Sharma, Lecturer GHSS Badhat Kishtwar; Renu Mengi, Lecturer DIET Jammu; and Rajmohini, Lecturer GGHSS Poonch. During suspension, they will remain attached to the administrative department of the School Education Department. Additionally, Sheikh Suheel Ahmad, Computer Assistant (Contractual) assisting the Coordinator Library, Samagra Shiksha, was disengaged from his contractual engagement with immediate effect.
Inquiry ordered, authors and publishers blacklisted
The LG also ordered an inquiry into the matter, appointing Ashwani Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department, as Inquiry Officer, and Rohit Sharma, Additional Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, as Presenting Officer. The inquiry officer must submit a report within 30 days. Furthermore, the authors and publishers of the books have been banned and blacklisted in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and any printed material authored or published by them must be withdrawn.
Political reactions: BJP calls it 'academic jihad'
The controversy erupted after political parties raised objections. The BJP alleged the books glorify terrorists, separatists, and stone-pelters, and demanded an immediate ban and the sacking of J-K Education Minister Sakeena Itoo. Leader of Opposition in J-K Assembly Sunil Sharma called the issue a criminal matter rather than merely an academic lapse, alleging it was part of "academic jihad" intended to poison young minds to revive separatism by using the education system to propagate a Pakistan-sponsored narrative. Sharma said the book "glorifies convicts, murderers, terrorists, separatists, and stone-pelters." He added, "It is deeply regrettable that the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department has distributed this book to schools under the logo of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. This is a grave offence."
Congress demands high-level probe
The Congress demanded a high-level probe into the distribution of the controversial book. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in a statement, "There is no place for such mischief… if the book carries objectionable content as being learnt, a high-level probe should be conducted to identify the culprits who allowed the book to be supplied to schools and government institutions." He demanded the book be banned until the inquiry is completed, adding, "The conspiracy behind the publication of the book needs to be exposed." The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Forum (JKPF) also claimed the books glorified separatist leaders and terrorists by portraying them as "great personalities" and "legends" of Jammu and Kashmir.
