Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high level review meeting on the circulation of books and literature carrying alleged anti-national and separatist content in educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, directing a comprehensive audit of schools, colleges, universities and libraries throughout the union territory. The meeting followed reports of the recovery of material allegedly glorifying separatism from certain institutions, prompting the administration to move toward a stricter, more systematic screening framework.
Officials briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the action taken so far, with Sinha making clear that those responsible for procuring, approving or circulating such literature will face strict legal consequences. He directed departments concerned to put in place an effective mechanism ensuring there is no procurement, distribution or availability of any publication, including books, journals, magazines or other literature carrying anti-national, separatist or objectionable content, across government and private educational institutions as well as public and private libraries.
As part of the exercise, heads of institutions will be required to submit a formal affirmation within a specified period confirming the non-availability of any such material on their premises, in addition to undergoing a comprehensive audit and inspection process. The Lieutenant Governor also instructed authorities to scrutinise the websites and digital repositories of universities and higher educational institutions, and to immediately remove any objectionable material found online.
Stressing that such incidents must not be repeated, Sinha directed the formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure governing the procurement of books and academic material for schools, colleges and universities going forward. The proposed SOP is expected to include a robust screening mechanism, with periodic random scrutiny carried out by a panel of eminent educationists, intellectuals and senior officers, to ensure no material promoting anti-national or separatist narratives enters the educational ecosystem.
The Lieutenant Governor warned that any lapse in compliance would invite strict accountability, with heads of institutions to be held personally responsible for violations detected in their premises. Reiterating the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the region’s educational institutions, Sinha said schools, colleges and universities must remain centres of learning, nation-building and constitutional values, adding there would be zero tolerance for any attempt to mislead or radicalise students through objectionable literature.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo along with senior officers from the Home Department, Power Development Department, Intelligence Bureau, CID and School Education Department, reflecting the administration’s intent to treat the matter as a coordinated, multi-department priority rather than an isolated disciplinary issue.
