The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to declare 25 books as “forfeited” marks a pivotal moment in the fight against intellectual radicalisation and secessionist propaganda. Among these are works authored or co-authored by figures such as Arundhati Roy and AG Noorani-names with significant public reach. Yet, as the Government rightly points out, these books have consistently pushed narratives that glorify terrorism, vilify security forces, and feed alienation, particularly among impressionable youth. It is a well-known fact that secessionist ideologies are not always propagated with overt violence; they are just as dangerously seeded through subtle, intellectual channels-books being a prime medium. Masquerading as historical or political critique, many such works manipulate facts and manufacture grievances, laying the psychological groundwork for radicalisation. Once these false narratives take root, they are further weaponised by external actors like Pakistan to attack India’s sovereignty in global forums. Tragically, these very books-written largely by Indian citizens-are often cited in international discussions, giving credence to perspectives that lack grounding in reality.
What makes this forfeiture more significant is the deep nexus that investigations have revealed between certain authors and separatist ideologues. While democratic societies must encourage critical thought and dissent, there is a sharp difference between constructive critique and peddling propaganda under the garb of free speech. The latter, if left unchecked, serves only to weaken the fabric of national unity. As such, this crackdown is part of a broader strategy to eliminate the roots of separatism, not just its visible symptoms. The move complements efforts in other domains-media regulation, educational reforms, and social media monitoring-ensuring that divisive narratives do not find shelter in any sphere. Importantly, the books in question lack literary or academic merit; they exist not to educate or enlighten, but to incite, distort, and destabilise. In an age where information warfare is a powerful tool, the Government’s action sends a clear message: national security and integrity cannot be compromised in the name of intellectual freedom. This long-overdue measure not only protects the nation from internal subversion but also upholds the collective responsibility to safeguard the minds of its youth from ideological exploitation.
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