State: Jammu and Kashmir
Year: 2025
Date: August 6, 2025
Source:
Censorship
In an unprecedented move, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered the forfeiture and ban of 25 books, alleging that they propagate secessionism, glorify terrorism, and pose a threat to national integrity and public order.
A notification (S.O.203) issued by the Home Department on August 5 invoked Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to declare the books “forfeited,” citing their “false narrative” and role in “misguiding the youth” of Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the banned works are Azadi by writer-activist Arundhati Roy, The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012 by constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and Kashmir at the Crossroads by political scientist Sumantra Bose. Other authors whose books feature in the list include David Devadas, Hafsa Kanjwal, Ather Zia, Anuradha Bhasin and Tariq Ali.
Officials said the decision was taken after a detailed review of the content, which was found to be “objectionable” and “potentially harmful to public peace and the unity of the nation.”
A notification issued by the Home Department said that investigations and intelligence inputs revealed that these publications played a significant role in radicalizing youth by distorting historical facts, vilifying security forces, and promoting violence.
Updated On: August 29, 2025
J&K High Court to decide validity of provision allowing ban on 25 books: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to expeditiously decide a plea challenging a provision, which empowers the authorities to seize publications on the ground of “endangering public order and national security”.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi disposed of the plea which also challenged the August 5 decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government to ban 25 books for “promoting false narratives and glorifying terrorism”.
The top court added, “We request the Chief Justice of the High Court to constitute a three judge bench presided over by his lordship and make an endeavour to decide the issues at the earliest.” Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for petitioner Shakir Shabir, said there were certain cases from the Punjab & Haryana High Court and other states but on individual books.
Justice Kant recounted once a self-styled godman started writing books “left and right” about every religion and created problems for courts.
Updated On: September 30, 2025
J&K HC to Constitute Special Bench Challenging Ban & Forfeiture of 25 Books
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court will constitute a Special Bench of three judges to hear a petition challenging a government notification that declared 25 books on Kashmir’s political and social history as “forfeited” under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
Chief Justice Arun Palli indicated on September 30, 2025, that orders would be passed shortly for constituting the Special Bench required under the statute to hear such applications. The matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice by Advocate Vrinda Grover, who submitted that the petitioners were approaching the court under Section 99(1) BNSS seeking to set aside the government notification.