Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar: The Research and Advocacy Group (RAAG), a registered trust working in the fields of legal research, public policy and advocacy, has submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir seeking the issuance of an official notification under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, for the forfeiture and nationwide seizure of two books it alleges contain anti-national and seditious content.
In the representation dated July 8, RAAG Managing Trustee and Advocate Deepak Sharma urged the Lieutenant Governor to invoke statutory powers under Section 98 of the BNSS to prohibit the circulation of Personalities and Legends of J&K (Series 4) by Hilal Ahmed and Santosh Meena, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir by Dr. Sushant Giri.
According to the representation, the books, reportedly procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, contain content that allegedly undermines India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by using terminology such as “Indian occupied Kashmir” and by glorifying convicted terrorists and separatist figures.
RAAG acknowledged the recent administrative action, including the registration of an FIR by the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), but argued that these measures alone are insufficient to prevent the continued circulation of the publications.
The organisation maintained that a notification under Section 98 of the BNSS would enable law enforcement agencies across India to seize copies of the books wherever found and prevent their further distribution. It also sought directions for search operations at the premises of publishers, printers and distributors to recover remaining physical and digital copies.
In addition, RAAG requested the constitution of a high-level expert screening and evaluation committee comprising academicians, legal experts and senior administrators to review textbooks and supplementary reading material prescribed in educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. It also called for a centralized pre-screening policy for future procurement of educational material to prevent similar controversies.
The representation argues that the proposed measures are necessary to safeguard constitutional values, national integrity and the educational interests of students. Authorities have not yet issued any official response to the representation.
