By Tehelka Web Bureau
Srinagar, Sep 22: The Higher Education Department has withdrawn 4,249 books from circulation in colleges and libraries across Jammu and Kashmir, with nearly 94 percent of the withdrawals reported from the Kashmir division.
The government informed the Legislative Assembly that 3,996 books had been withdrawn from Kashmir and 253 from Jammu.
The figures exclude books that were formally banned.
The department has so far examined 21,81,582 books and publications, including 12,48,641 in Kashmir and 9,32,941 in Jammu.
The House was also informed that 518 copies of 19 titles formally banned under S.O. 203, dated August 5, 2025, had been removed.
The government said the scrutiny of books and other material considered objectionable is continuing.
“The process of scrutiny of objectionable books, material to be withdrawn is under process in the Department as the same is laborious exercise and may take more time,” the government said.
Explaining the rationale behind the exercise, the government said higher education institutions were expected to promote constitutional values and academic freedom while fostering critical thinking and scientific temper.
“The reason for initiation of such action is that the Higher Education Institutions constitute centres of Higher learning, research, academic excellence and are expected to foster an environment that upholds constitutional values, academic freedom, critical thinking, scientific temper, responsible citizenship and respect for the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India,” the government said.
The House was further informed that the Higher Education Department had adopted “a clear and objective criteria” for identifying objectionable material for scrutiny in colleges, in accordance with prescribed directions.
The scrutiny and withdrawal process is expected to continue as the department examines the remaining books and publications.
