JAMMU, Jul 6: The Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum (JKPF) has raised serious concerns over the presence of the banned book ‘Personalities and Legends of Jammu & Kashmir’ in the library of the Department of Political Science at Jammu University, despite the Union Territory Government having prohibited the publication. The Forum has demanded immediate action against the officials of Jammu University responsible for this lapse.
The issue was raised by JKPF President Advocate Raghu Mehta during a press conference held on Monday. Forum Trustee Advocate Vikas Sharma and Dr. Deepak Kapoor were also present on the occasion.
Advocate Raghu Mehta stated that the recent controversy surrounding the book has caused widespread concern across Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has banned the book because it glorifies individuals associated with terrorism, separatism, and anti-India activities. He further noted that the government has also suspended eight officials for recommending the book and expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for taking this action.
Advocate Mehta said that, against this backdrop, it is extremely disturbing that the same book is available in the library of the Department of Political Science at Jammu University under Accession No. DL-477237.
He pointed out that the book contains highly objectionable content, including referring to terrorist Maqbool Bhat as a martyr and mentioning Masarat Alam, who is facing anti-India charges and is currently in jail, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, as well as Hafiz Saeed, identified as the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
He demanded an immediate explanation from the university administration regarding the presence of the banned publication in its library.
He further stated that the Department of Political Science has, on several occasions, faced criticism from various sections of society regarding the ideological orientation of certain academic discussions and course materials.
He emphasized that Jammu University is a premier public institution funded by taxpayers’ money and has a responsibility to uphold constitutional values, national unity, and academic excellence.
Advocate Raghu Mehta said that the Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum demands an immediate inquiry into how such a banned and controversial book became part of the Department of Political Science’s library collection. He also demanded the suspension of the Head of the Department of Political Science at Jammu University.
He questioned how the book continues to remain in the department’s library despite being officially banned by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
He further demanded that the professor who recommended the book be identified and suspended until intelligence agencies complete a verification of his credentials and background.