J&K scans 21 lakh library books, pulls out 4,000 titles; ‘objectionable content’ under scrutiny

SRINAGAR: J&K govt has pulled 4,249 books from public, school and college libraries, and sent another 1,752 titles for “expert examination” after screening more than 21.8 lakh books for “objectionable content” over the past two months, education minister Sakina Itoo told the assembly Tuesday.The scrutiny follows orders issued in July by the education department and universities to screen all books — new and old — in offices, classrooms, staff rooms and libraries after the Union territory administration withdrew two books it called “highly inappropriate”. A year ago, the home department had banned 25 books on Kashmir for promoting “a false narrative”, “secessionism”, and “anti-national” views.Authorities have banned and removed 518 books so far.