Facing embarrassment over the introduction of the highly controversial book, Personalities and Legends of J&K, the Education Department in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified a comprehensive exercise to identify similar books procured by different schools.
In a significant move to ensure that educational institutions maintain appropriate academic standards, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has directed all government and recognised private schools, along with coaching centres across the Valley, to conduct a thorough screening of books available on their premises for any objectionable content.
According to an official circular issued by the Directorate, Heads of Institutions (HOIs) have been instructed to examine all books kept in classrooms, school libraries, staff rooms, offices, and other institutional facilities, including both newly procured and previously stocked publications.
The exercise aims to identify and remove any material that could hurt religious sentiments, contain content inappropriate for students, violate existing laws, undermine national interests, or adversely affect educational ethics and established academic standards.
The Directorate has further directed that all books must strictly conform to the age-appropriate learning principles laid down under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The circular states that if any objectionable material is detected during the verification process, the concerned institution must prepare a detailed report specifying the title of the publication, the year of publication, the author's name, the publisher's details, and the number of copies available.
All institutions have been directed to complete the verification process with utmost diligence and submit a compliance certificate, along with the report, wherever required, to the concerned Chief Education Officer (CEO) or Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) by July 13, 2026. The certificate must confirm that all books have been thoroughly scrutinised and that, to the best of the institution's knowledge, no objectionable content exists. It must also certify that the library books comply with the NEP 2020 guidelines and other relevant legal provisions.
Where any objectionable content is found, institutions have been asked to submit a detailed abstract along with a supporting report within the same deadline.
The Directorate has also assigned Zonal Education Officers the responsibility of scrutinising reports received from schools and coaching centres under their jurisdiction before forwarding consolidated reports to the respective Chief Education Officers by July 15, 2026.
Chief Education Officers of all districts in Kashmir have, in turn, been directed to submit verified compliance certificates and consolidated reports to the Directorate by July 17, 2026. They have also been instructed to personally supervise the verification exercise and countersign all compliance certificates before submission.
To oversee the entire process, DSEK has constituted a high-level committee comprising the Joint Directors (Central, North, and South), the Additional Secretary (Law), and the Officer on Special Duty (CEW). The committee will compile district-wise reports and submit a final consolidated report to the Directorate by July 19, 2026.
The Directorate has cautioned that any negligence or failure to comply with the instructions within the stipulated timelines will be viewed seriously and may invite disciplinary action against the officials concerned under the applicable service rules.
Controversial book banned; eight officials suspended
As reported earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir government has banned the controversial book Personalities and Legends of J&K from government school libraries after it was found to contain content allegedly glorifying convicted terrorist Maqbool Bhat and several separatist leaders.
The government has suspended eight School Education Department officials, ordered a high-level inquiry, blacklisted the authors and publishers, and directed the immediate withdrawal of the books from schools.
Ironically, the books, in which convicted terrorist Maqbool Bhat was referred to with the honorific title "Shaheed", were procured using public funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme of the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The books, approved by an expert committee comprising senior officials of the Education Department, also glorified separatist and anti-India leaders, including Masarat Alam, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, by portraying them as "great personalities" and "legends" of Jammu and Kashmir.
