Jammu, July 4 : Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Saturday called for an immediate ban on a book allegedly available in government school libraries, accusing the Education Department of allowing what he described as “anti-national propaganda” to reach students and demanding a high-level investigation into the entire approval process.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Sharma alleged that the book, Personalities and Legions of J&K, published by Paradise Publishers, contains material that glorifies separatists, terrorists and stone-pelters while presenting India in a negative light.
Calling the publication an assault on the education system, Sharma said such content has no place in academic institutions and accused those responsible of attempting to influence young minds under the guise of educational material.
“A book that glorifies separatists and terrorists cannot be allowed in government schools. It must be banned immediately, and every individual involved in its approval, publication and distribution must be identified and held accountable,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader alleged that the publication was cleared by a committee constituted by the Education Department before being supplied to government school libraries, raising serious questions over the functioning of the department.
Demanding a comprehensive inquiry, Sharma said the investigation should cover all officials involved in the approval process, including those holding senior administrative and ministerial responsibilities.
He also sought the immediate dismissal of the Education Minister, alleging that the department had committed a grave lapse by allowing the book to enter government schools.
Drawing a comparison with measures taken during the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, Sharma said around 25 books carrying similar content had earlier been withdrawn or banned and urged the present government to adopt the same approach.
Responding to questions from reporters, Sharma alleged that the publication refers to individuals convicted or accused in terror-related cases as “martyrs” while ignoring the sacrifices made by security forces.
Reiterating his demand for strict action, Sharma urged the Jammu and Kashmir government and investigating agencies to immediately examine the matter and initiate legal proceedings against the authors, publishers, distributors and members of the committee who approved the book. (KNS)
