Colleges and libraries in Jammu and Kashmir have withdrawn more than 4,200 books from circulation following a government review of material deemed objectionable, with nearly 94% of the withdrawals coming from the Kashmir division, the government told the legislative assembly.
A total of 4,249 books had been withdrawn from circulation, excluding books that were already formally banned, the government said in response to questions in the assembly.
Of those, 3,996 were withdrawn from colleges and libraries in Kashmir and 253 from the Jammu division.
The Higher Education Department has so far examined 2.18 million books and other publications, including 1.25 million in Kashmir and 933,000 in Jammu, according to the government.
It also said 518 copies of 19 titles formally banned under government order S.O. 203, issued on Aug. 5, 2025, had been removed.
The scrutiny of books and other material is continuing, the government said, adding that the process could take more time because of the volume of material being reviewed.
The government said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that higher education institutions maintained an environment that promoted constitutional values, academic freedom, critical thinking, scientific temper and responsible citizenship.
It also cited the need to uphold respect for the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
The Higher Education Department has adopted “clear and objective criteria” to identify material for scrutiny, the government said.
Jammu and Kashmir has 20 districts divided between the Jammu and Kashmir regions. The region has been administered as a Union Territory since the reorganisation of the former state in 2019.
Support Independent Media
Click Here and Join the Membership of Millat Times to Support Independent Media.
Support Millat Times