SRINAGAR, Sept 22 (KNS): Senior Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) leader and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, along with AIP State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, on Tuesday questioned the removal of thousands of books from libraries of colleges and institutions under the Higher Education Department, alleging that the government had failed to provide details sought through a starred question in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Addressing a press conference, Sheikh Khursheed said he had raised a starred question in the ongoing Assembly session seeking details of books that had either been banned or removed from libraries and colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said he had expected the starred question to be taken up in a manner that would allow supplementary questions, but alleged that the question was deliberately kept back, denying him an opportunity to seek further clarification from the government.

“Approximately 6,519 books have been removed,” Sheikh Khursheed said, referring to the answer received from the government. He said the government, however, did not provide details such as the titles of the books, names of authors, subjects or publishing houses.

Sheikh Khursheed said the lack of such details raised serious questions about the basis on which the books were removed and whether the exercise could have implications for the preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s history, literature and academic record.

He said he wanted the government to provide a complete list of the books removed from Higher Education Department libraries and colleges, along with their authors, titles, subjects and publishers.

“This is a serious issue. When the Assembly session resumes, we will once again ask the government to provide the complete list of these books,” he said.

Sheikh Khursheed also questioned the responsibility of the elected government, saying that the administration must clarify who authorised the removal of the books and under what policy or criteria the decisions were taken.

At the same time, he questioned the Union government over what he described as a restrictive approach towards books and literature in Jammu and Kashmir.

He linked the issue to the broader question of freedom of expression and said the government could not, on one hand, speak about protecting freedom of expression while taking measures that, according to him, restricted access to literature relating to Kashmir.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Sheikh Khursheed also drew a contrast between the promotion of films such as The Kashmir Files, which he said highlighted the suffering of the Kashmiri Pandit community, and what he described as the removal or suppression of literature dealing with the wider history and political reality of Kashmir.

He said the history and literature of Kashmir could not be selectively presented or altered.

Sheikh Khursheed further claimed that information gathered independently by the party suggested that books containing references to “Kashmir” had also been removed from some libraries. He called for the government to clarify whether any such criterion had been applied and, if so, under whose directions.

The AIP leaders also criticised the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the government had remained silent over the issue and was facilitating or legitimising measures taken by the Union government.

Sheikh Khursheed questioned the Chief Minister’s position, saying that the National Conference government had sought a mandate on issues including restoration of Article 370 and 35A, but was now, according to him, failing to raise what he described as basic issues concerning Kashmir’s history, literature and academic institutions.

Sheikh Khursheed said the purpose of the press conference was to place the issue before the public after he was denied the opportunity to raise supplementary questions in the Assembly.

He said AIP would also share a copy of the Assembly question with the media so that the public could examine the issue and the government’s response.

“Whether the government answers or not, it is important that the public knows what was asked and what information was sought,” he said.

The AIP leader said the party would pursue the matter inside the Assembly when the session resumes and seek the complete details of the books removed from the libraries.(KNS)