JAMMU, Jul 7: The Jammu State People Movement (JSPM) on Tuesday expressed concern over the reported publication and procurement of two books, published separately from Delhi and Jammu, which it alleged glorify separatist figures. The organisation demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and stringent action against those found responsible.
Addressing the media, JSPM Convenor Prof. Virender Gupta said the simultaneous publication of two books carrying almost identical content and titles and portraying separatist figures such as Maqbool Bhat, Hashim Qureshi, Masrat Alam and Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a positive light raises serious concerns from the perspective of national security.
“It is a matter of grave concern that such books were allegedly procured through a government process and that an expert committee constituted by a government department was involved in scrutinising the publications. If these reports are correct, the entire episode warrants a comprehensive and impartial probe,” Prof. Gupta said.
He further alleged that a similar publication had appeared in 2017 and claimed that the books were supplied to libraries of schools, colleges and universities. “Although the government has initiated the process of withdrawing the books from libraries, the possibility that they may already have reached a large number of readers cannot be ignored. Those responsible for approving and circulating such publications must be identified and dealt with strictly,” he added.
Prof. Gupta urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to examine the role of officials associated with the procurement and approval process and called for greater vigilance to prevent any activities that could undermine national interests. He also sought closer scrutiny of academic institutions to ensure that educational spaces are not misused for promoting anti-national narratives.
The JSPM Convenor alleged that the episode reflects the persistence of separatist thinking among certain sections and urged the Government of India and the Union Territory administration to treat the matter with utmost seriousness. He called for firm action to safeguard national interests and maintain the integrity of educational institutions.