9 suspended amid political row over J&K books ‘glorifying’ separatism

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered the suspension of eight officials from the School Education Department and the removal of a contractual staffer following a controversy over textbooks allegedly promoting separatist leaders and convicted terrorists.

The books in question, "Personalities and Legends of J&K" and "Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir," were found in government school libraries and are accused of glorifying figures such as Maqbool Bhat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Massarat Alam, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The books were withdrawn on Friday, and their authors and publishers have been banned from further activity.

A government order stated that the books contained "highly inappropriate content," indicating "serious negligence, dereliction of duty, and lack of proper due diligence" by the sub-committee responsible for recommending them. The content related to separatism was deemed to have the potential to create law and order situations.

Eight officials and supervisory staff have been placed under suspension with immediate effect, in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. Ashwani Kumar, financial commissioner of the power development department, has been appointed to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

The leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly and BJP MLA, Sunil Sharma, condemned the act, labeling it "academic jihad" aimed at corrupting young minds. While the Hindustan Times could not independently verify the contents of the textbooks, the government's swift action underscores the sensitivity surrounding narratives of separatism and terrorism in the region.

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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.