The counter‑intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday arrested three individuals—Inderpaul Singh of Oberoi Book Service, Jammu, and Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida‑based Dominant Publishers—over the publication and circulation of two books accused of praising separatist figures.

Controversial Content

The titles, *Personalities and Legends of J&K* and *Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir*, were found in school libraries across the union territory. Critics argue that the books portray Maqbool Bhat, co‑founder of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, and Shabir Shah, founder‑president of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, as martyrs or heroic freedom fighters, thereby undermining India’s sovereignty.

Legal Framework

Following the withdrawal of the books from schools in Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur and Baramulla districts, the police registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 49 (abetment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 152 (endangering sovereignty), 196 (promoting enmity), 353 (publishing false statements) and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A total of 251 copies had been distributed before the complete recall.

Political Backdrop

The move came after strong objections from the BJP, Congress and several regional parties, who claimed the books glorified separatist ideology. The state government has ordered a high‑level inquiry, signalling a broader crackdown on material deemed hostile to national integration.

Implications for Publishing

This episode underscores a tightening regulatory environment for educational content in Jammu and Kashmir. While it reinforces the state’s resolve to curb extremist narratives, it also raises concerns about the future of publishing freedom. Legal experts warn that without clear guidelines, more literary works could face scrutiny, prompting publishers to adopt stricter self‑censorship practices.