SRINAGAR: In a fresh crackdown on literature linked to banned organizations, Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized 668 books from bookstores in Srinagar, citing concerns over their ideological content.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, was based on what officials described as “credible intelligence” about the clandestine sale and distribution of literature associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a proscribed organization. Legal proceedings have been initiated under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Most of the books seized by the police in Srinagar have been published by MMI Publishers, a Delhi-based publisher of religious books that was founded in 1948. Some of the books seized comprise the essential literature of the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir.
The move has sparked a debate on censorship, intellectual freedom, and security in the region, with political voices and academics raising concerns over the implications of such actions.
Police Justification and Legal Context
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Srinagar Police said, “Based on credible intelligence regarding the clandestine sale and distribution of literature promoting the ideology of a banned organisation, police conducted a search in Srinagar, leading to the seizure of 668 books. Legal action has been initiated under Section 126 of the BNSS.”
Section 126 of the BNSS allows an executive magistrate to order a person to show cause as to why they should not be required to execute a bond for maintaining peace for up to one year. While the provision primarily deals with preventive measures against individuals suspected of disturbing public order, its application to booksellers has raised concerns among legal experts.
A senior lawyer based in Srinagar, who requested anonymity, pointed out the ambiguity in using preventive legal provisions against literature. “Seizing books based on ideological concerns raises questions about the scope of preventive policing. The law must distinguish between incitement to violence and intellectual discourse, even if it originates from banned organizations,” he said.
Bookstore Owners and Scholars Express Concern
A bookstore owner in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, requesting anonymity, described how the raid unfolded. “A group of police personnel arrived at my store around 3:30 pm, asked about the books we had, and mentioned that certain books were banned.
Later, they seized several copies of books authored by Maududi and Islahi without giving any official seizure notice,” he said.
Abul A’la Maududi, a Pakistani Islamic scholar and historian, founded Jamaat-e-Islami, with its J&K chapter established in 1952. Amin Ahsan Islahi, another influential scholar, was a founding member of the group.
While Jamaat-e-Islami was banned in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, books by Maududi and Islahi have long been part of Islamic and political studies across South Asia.
A student from Kashmir University, also speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about the implications for academic freedom. “Many students and scholars rely on these books for research.
Whether or not one agrees with Maududi’s ideology, his works are part of political and religious discourse. Banning books without public discussion sets a dangerous precedent,” he said.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Recent Shift
The seizure of books comes as a surprise as Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), recently demonstrated a remarkable shift in its political stance by participating in the assembly elections and was seen as reconciling with the Centre.
Despite being banned under UAPA since 2019 (with the ban extended in February 2024), the organization marked a significant departure from their 30-year history of election boycotts, with hundreds of JeI cadres across the valley casting their votes and several contesting as independents.
Ahead of the elections, the organization was also actively seeking the revocation of its ban to participate in Assembly elections.
Political Reaction and Debate on Censorship
The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the book seizures, arguing that they amounted to suppression of intellectual and religious freedoms. Iltija Mufti, spokesperson for the PDP, termed the crackdown an “attack on the freedom to read.”
“Policing thought and literature in this manner is dangerous. These books have been available for decades and targeting them now raises serious questions about the government’s intentions,” she said in a statement.
Other political analysts and observers argue that while the government has the authority to restrict literature that incites violence, banning books on ideological grounds risks stifling intellectual debates.
A Broader Crackdown on Literature?
This is not the first time books have been seized in Jammu and Kashmir. In recent years, authorities have cracked down on literature deemed subversive, reflecting a tightening of controls on ideological narratives in the region.
In 2020, authorities removed certain books from public libraries, citing national security concerns.
A professor of political science at a university in North India, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said such crackdowns have broader implications.
“In conflict zones, states often regulate narratives by controlling literature. But history shows that banning books does not erase ideas. Instead, it pushes discourse underground, sometimes making it even more attractive to young minds,” he noted.
The Road Ahead
While the authorities justify the seizure as a security measure, the move raises significant questions about the balance between national security and intellectual freedom.
If ideological books are to be censored, legal experts argue that a transparent process involving public debate and judicial oversight is necessary.
For now, bookstore owners remain uncertain about which books might be targeted next. Many are reluctant to speak openly, fearing repercussions.
“If we sell these books, we are accused of spreading ideology. If we stop selling them, we fear we may be accused of suppressing intellectual freedom. Where do we draw the line?” a bookseller asked.
(The identity of the reporter of this story has been withheld due to fear of potential reprisal.)
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