Srinagar, July 4 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, disengaged a contractual employee, ordered a high-level inquiry and blacklisted the authors and publishers of two controversial books found containing “highly inappropriate content” related to separatism.
According to Government Order No. 257-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated July 4, 2026, issued by the School Education Department, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS, the action follows the detection of objectionable content in two books procured under the Samagra Shiksha library scheme for government schools.
The government said Samagra Shiksha had received library grants for procurement of age-appropriate books for 18,328 Government Schools and 394 PM SHRI Schools, following which an Expression of Interest (EOI) was floated. Four expert sub-committees comprising academicians from Jammu and Kashmir divisions were constituted to scrutinise and recommend books for different school levels.
The committees selected 463 books submitted by 364 publishers. However, on July 3, two books were found to contain highly inappropriate content and were immediately withdrawn.
The books are “Personalities and Legends of J&K”, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu, and “Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir”, authored by Dr. Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.
The government said 123 copies of the first book had been supplied to Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur, while 128 copies of the second book had been distributed in Jammu and Baramulla districts.
The order states that the books contained content related to separatism with the potential to create law and order problems, and held that there was serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of due diligence by members of the concerned expert committee and supervisory officers while recommending the books.
Pending inquiry, eight officials have been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 31(1)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
They include the Coordinator Library and Assistant Coordinator of Samagra Shiksha, a Principal, four Lecturers and an Academic Officer. During suspension, all officials will remain attached with the Administrative Department.
The government has also disengaged Sheikh Suheel Ahmad, a contractual Computer Assistant assisting the Coordinator Library at Samagra Shiksha, with immediate effect.
To investigate the matter, the government has appointed Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department, as the Inquiry Officer, while Rohit Sharma, JKAS, Additional Secretary, General Administration Department, has been appointed as the Presenting Officer.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit his report to the competent authority within 30 days.
The government has further ordered that the authors and publishers of the two books are banned and blacklisted across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It has also directed that all printed material authored or published by them be withdrawn from the Union Territory.
The controversy erupted after the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Forum (JKPF) alleged that the books, procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for government school libraries, glorified separatist leaders and terrorists by portraying them as “great personalities” and “legends” of Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue gained further attention after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma raised it during a press conference, alleging that the publications promoted an anti-national narrative and demanded their immediate withdrawal, a high-level probe and strict action against those responsible.
Following the controversy, the School Education Department on July 3 ordered the immediate withdrawal of both books from all government schools.
Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, had earlier told JKNS that all copies had been recalled and action would be taken against everyone responsible for the publication, approval, procurement and circulation of the books.
The latest government order formalises that action by suspending officials, ordering an inquiry and blacklisting the authors and publishers. (JKNS)
