BJP’s ‘academic jihad’ charge sparks fresh row over IIOJK school book
Srinagar : The BJP has launched a fresh campaign against educational content in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), demanding an immediate ban on a book stocked in government school libraries and alleging it promotes the Kashmiris’ freedom narrative and describes India as an “occupying power”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the controversy revolves around the book titled Personalities and Legends of J&K, which BJP leader and opposition leader in the IIOJK Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma claimed was approved for government school libraries after being vetted by an expert committee of the School Education Department.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Sharma alleged that the publication glorifies Hurriyat leaders, militants and stone-pelters while portraying Indian forces and those involved in anti-militancy operations in a negative light. He further claimed that the book uses the term “Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK)” and “India-Held Kashmir (IHK)” and describes India as an “occupying power.”
Terming the publication “seditious” and branding it as “academic jihad,” Sharma demanded its immediate withdrawal from schools and libraries, a judicial probe into its publication and approval, and criminal action against its authors, publisher, distributors and members of the committee that cleared it. He also sought action against the IIOJK Education Department, including the dismissal of the Education Minister, accusing the ruling National Conference-led administration of providing “intellectual protection” to such narratives.
The controversy comes amid increasing political scrutiny of educational material in the occupied territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. It also follows last year’s decision by the BJP-led Indian government to ban 25 books by several prominent authors dealing with Kashmir’s history and politics, a move that remains under challenge before the IIOJK High Court. Following the ban, Indian police authorities conducted searches and seizures at bookshops across Kashmir to prevent the circulation of the prohibited titles.
The move had triggered a sharp criticism from writers, journalists, civil society groups and political leaders, who described the ban as an assault on freedom of expression and academic independence.
Political observers said the latest controversy reflects the BJP’s continuing attempts to reshape academic discourse in the occupied territory in line with its ideological agenda. They warned that increasing political interference in educational institutions and repeated efforts to censor academic material undermine academic freedom, suppress diverse historical perspectives and restrict objective discussion of Kashmir’s political history and ground realities.
