Jammu and Kashmir: Police raids shops after govt-imposed book ban

Police in the Kashmir region carried out raids on book stores after the government banned 25 books, over what it called "exciting secessionism."

The government accused the authors of the banned books — who include Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, as well as academics — of "playing a critical role in misguiding the youth" against India.

Earlier in February, authorities carried out a similar raid, seizing books including Islamic literature from homes and shops.

What else do we know about the book ban?

"The operation targeted materials promoting secessionist ideologies or glorifying terrorism," police said in a social media statement. "Public cooperation is solicited to uphold peace and integrity."

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the ban, saying it "only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding" of the Indian government, also calling the decision "authoritarian."

"Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts," Farooq posted on his X account.

Kashmir saw last year the first local elections since govt stripped the region of its special status in 2019. The vote brought to power a largely powerless government, with Lt Gov. Manoj Sinha, still wielding substantial authority in the region as the national government's representative.

The order banning the books was issued on the sixth anniversary of India's imposition of direct rule over Kashmir.