The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned 25 books written by prominent Indian and foreign authors, claiming they promote a "false narrative" and encourage secessionism in the Union Territory. The order was issued by the J&K Home Department, following what it called credible intelligence and an investigation.

The books, the order says, were being presented as historical or political commentary but were actually spreading content that threatens India’s unity.

“Whereas, the identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India, thereby, attracting the provisions of sections 152, 196 & 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023,” the government order stated.

It further adds that these titles are now declared ‘forfeited’ under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Notable authors on the banned list

Some well-known names appear in the list of banned authors, including Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, leading constitutional expert AG Noorani, British historian Victoria Schofield, academicSumantra Bose, and journalist Anuradha Bhasin.

Among the banned titles:

  • Azadi by Arundhati Roy, published by Penguin India

  • The Kashmir Dispute: 1947–2012 by AG Noorani

  • Kashmir in Conflict – India, Pakistan and the Unending War by Victoria Schofield

  • Contested Lands and Kashmir at the Crossroads by Sumantra Bose

  • The Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir After 370 by Anuradha Bhasin

  • Law & Conflict Resolution by Piotr Balcerowicz and Agnieszka Kuszewska

Why the books were banned

According to the J&K administration, these books were spreading a “systemic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature.” Officials said the content could influence readers in a way that harms India’s sovereignty or encourages separation from the country.

The books “need to be declared as 'forfeited' in terms of Section 98 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanita 2023,” the order said.

The banned books are said to have violated several sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, especially:

  • Section 152 – related to promoting enmity or harming national unity

  • Section 196 – linked to spreading false information

  • Section 197 – concerning attempts to harm the sovereignty or integrity of India

The administration stated that the action was necessary to protect the region from literature that could disturb peace or influence people in ways that threaten national interests.