Police raided bookstores in Srinagar in February 2025, seizing 668 books allegedly linked to Jamaat‑e‑Islami. The incident triggered a comprehensive audit by the Higher Education Department, which has now examined 21,81,582 titles across the state.
Of those, 4,767 have been removed from libraries and public institutions, while 1,752 are pending expert review by the Director of Colleges. The audit, which began after a complaint by an independent MLA, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, will continue until all flagged books are assessed.
Sheikh Khursheed slammed the move, calling it "a crackdown on knowledge" that seeks to erase Kashmir’s history. "They are not just erasing our memory; they are now banning our books," he said during a session of the assembly.
The government says the criteria for removal are objective, aimed at upholding constitutional values and scientific temper. The Director of Colleges will issue a final verdict on the 1,752 titles by the end of next month, after which the books may be permanently banned.
Earlier in August 2025, the state had declared 25 books forfeited for promoting secessionist ideology, including works by Arundhati Roy and Christopher Snedden. The current crackdown follows a controversy over two school books that mentioned separatist leaders, prompting a suspension of eight education officials.