Authors Condemn Book Ban in Kashmir

Authors Condemn Book Ban in Kashmir
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Authors and journalists are condemning the Jammu & Kashmir Home Department’s decision to ban 25 books, with police subsequently raiding bookshops and publishing houses to seize literature labeled as “glorifying terrorism,” Maktoob Media reported. The ban includes works by renowned figures such as Islamic scholar Syed Abul A’la Maududi, writer Arundhati Roy, and academic Hafsa Kanjwal.

Hafsa Kanjwal, author of Colonizing Kashmir: State-building Under Indian Occupation, called the ban an “eradication of Kashmir’s history,” arguing that the Indian government is attempting to replace the narrative of occupation and resistance with one that frames Kashmir as “integral” to India. Journalist Anuradha Bhasin compared the decision to the “Nazi” era, pointing out the government’s contradictory stance. She noted that if terrorism has truly ended, there should be no reason to ban books that were published years ago and that analyze history and politics rather than inciting violence.

Kashmir-based author Mirza Waheed also condemned the move as a regressive step hostile to books and learning. He and Kanjwal both expressed the belief that such bans are ultimately futile, as people will find ways to access the literature online. The government’s official order claims that the banned books propagate “false narratives” and incite violence against the Indian state.