Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 7

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered a comprehensive audit of schools, colleges, universities and libraries following the reported recovery of books allegedly containing separatist and anti-national content, officials said on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued the directions during a high-level review meeting with senior officials, instructing authorities to ensure that educational institutions do not procure or circulate publications that, according to the administration, promote separatist narratives or objectionable content.

Officials briefed the meeting on recent recoveries of books that allegedly glorified separatism and said those responsible for procuring or approving such material would face legal action.

Sinha directed government departments to establish a mechanism to prevent the availability of such publications in government and private educational institutions as well as public and private libraries.

Under the new directions, heads of institutions will be required to certify within a specified period that no prohibited material is available on their premises, while authorities will conduct comprehensive inspections and audits.

The LG also ordered universities and higher educational institutions to examine their websites and digital repositories and immediately remove any material deemed objectionable.

To strengthen oversight, Sinha instructed officials to prepare a standard operating procedure governing the procurement of books and academic material for educational institutions.

The proposed framework will include a screening mechanism and periodic random scrutiny of publications by a panel comprising educationists, intellectuals and senior officials before they are introduced into institutions, officials said.

Sinha warned that institutional heads would be held personally accountable for any lapses.

He said educational institutions should remain centres of learning, constitutional values and nation-building, adding that the administration would maintain “zero tolerance” towards attempts to radicalise or mislead students through educational material.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior home department officials, intelligence officers, police representatives and education department officials.

The administration did not specify the institutions where the books were recovered or disclose details of the publications under scrutiny.