The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP V Sivadasan on Thursday demanded that the ban imposed on 25 books in Jammu and Kashmir must be revoked with immediate effect. He also urged democratic forces across the country to oppose the move.
Terming the ban “very painful”, the CPI (M) said, “India is a democratic and secular country. The ban should be opposed by democratic forces.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday imposed a ban on the publication of 25 books, including those written by famous authors like Moulana Moudadi, Arundhati Roy, AG Noorani, Victoria Schofield and David Devadas, as these were forfeited for “promoting false narratives and glorifying terrorism”.
The books banned included “Al Jihadulfil Islam” by Islamic scholar and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, MoulanaMoudadi; “Independent Kashmir” by Australian author Christopher Snedden; “In Search of a Future (The Story of Kasimir)” by David Devadas; “Kashmir in Conflict (India, Pakistan and the unending War)” by Victoria Schofield; “The Kashmir Dispute (1947-2012)” by Noorani; and “Azadi” by Arundhati Roy.
The Jammu and Kashmir government justified the ban by saying that the books, their copies and other documents propagate a false narrative and secessionism in the Union Territory.
The government said there is solid evidence and credible intelligence that these books are a driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism, and have been disseminating false narratives leading to secessionism.
Several political parties from the Union Territory have criticised the decision, calling it an attack on democratic rights and academic freedom.
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