Exclusive: Banning 25 Books On Kashmir: Is It A Tragedy Unfolding To Suppress Voices?

In an unprecedented move of literary censorship, the J&K home department has issued a notice to ban 25 books, alleging they propagate a false narrative and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. The official notification, released on August 5, 2025, cited investigations and credible intelligence, alleging that this literature misguides youth and incites violence.

“Available evidence based on investigations and credible intelligence unflinchingly indicate that a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism has been the systematic dissemination of false narratives and sessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often disguised as historical or political commentary, while playing a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State”, the official notification mentioned.

Also Read | Arundhati Roy, A G Noorani, Among 25 Kashmir Books Banned by J&K Home Dept

Under the pretext of propagating false narrative and divisiveness in J&K, the 25 books of well-acclaimed authors, including Arundhati Roy, A.G. Noorani, Sumantra Bose, Anuradha Bhasin, and others, have been declared as ‘forfeited’ in terms of Section 98 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and attract various provisions.

After the list of banned books and authors was released by the Jammu and Kashmir home department, Timeline reached out to one of the authors (whose identity was not revealed for security reasons). When asked to comment on the ban, the author refused to speak on the issue, citing ‘safety reasons’ and a desire to avoid any ‘extra attention’ at this time.

The author’s refusal to provide a statement highlights the gravity of the censorship. It shows a situation where even the writers of these books are unable to comment directly for fear of causing trouble for themselves or their families.

The banning of books by well-acclaimed authors for allegedly spreading propaganda raises many questions. This is particularly concerning when voices are being suppressed, and people who have either lived through events or conducted extensive research are prevented from narrating their stories.

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25 Banned Books –

List of Books Banned by the J&K Home Department:

1. Arundhati Roy – Azadi
2. A G Noorani – The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012
3. Anuradha Bhasin – A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370
4. David Devadas – In Search of a Future: The Story of Kashmir
5. Sumantra Bose – Kashmir at the Crossroads
6. Sumantra Bose – Contested Lands
7. Christopher Snedden – Independent Kashmir
8. Victoria Schofield – Kashmir in Conflict
9. Seema Kazi – Between Democracy and Nation: Gender and Militarisation in Kashmir
10. Essar Batool – Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora?
11. Radhika Gupta – Freedom Captivity (Negotiations of Belonging Along Kashmiri Frontier)
12. Tariq Ali – Kashmir: The Case for Freedom
13. Moulana Moudadi – Al Jihadul fil Islam
14. Imam Hasan‑Al Bana (ed. by Maulana Subhani) – Mujahid ki Azan
15. Piotr Balcerowicz & Agnieszka Kuszewska – Human Rights Violations in Kashmir and Law & Conflict Resolution in Kashmir
16. Dr. Shamshad Shan – USA and Kashmir
17. Dr. Afaq – Tarikh‑i‑Siyasat Kashmir
18. Sugata Bose & Ayesha Jalal (eds.) – Kashmir & the Future of South Asia
19. Mohammad Yusuf Saraf – Kashmiris’ Fight for Freedom
20. Hafsa Kanjwal – Colonizing Kashmir: State‑Building under Indian Occupation
21. Dr. Abdul Gockhami Jabbar – Kashmir Politics and Plebiscite
22. Stephen P. Cohen & Maroof Raza (eds) – Confronting Terrorism
23. Victoria Schofield – Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War
24. Ather Zia – Resisting Disappearance: Military Occupation and Women’s Activism in Kashmir
25. Mona Bhan, Haley Duschinski, Ather Zia & others – Resisting Occupation in Kashmir