Jammu, Jul 16: Jammu University (JU) has banned and blacklisted the authors and publishers of the two controversial books allegedly containing “inappropriate content related to separatism, having potential for creating law and order situation.”
The decision is in continuation to University circular issued on July 7, 2026 – in consonance with the Government Order number 257-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated July 4, 2026.
The varsity has also ordered the withdrawal of any book or printed material written or published from the authors viz., Hilal Ahmad, Santosh Meena and Dr Sushant Giri and the publishers – Oberoi Book Service, Jammu and Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.
Besides, it has directed all the Rectors, Directors, Heads of the teaching departments and in-charge Librarian, Dhanvantri Library for a comprehensive audit and inspection to ensure no such material exists in their offices, departments and libraries.
Jammu University has also announced to constitute a committee for formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for the procurement of books and academic material.
The books were earlier withdrawn from J&K school libraries, where their introduction under the “Samagra Shiksha” scheme, created a full-blown political controversy earlier this month.
Three publishers and printers of the two books were arrested on July 12 and were sent to 10-day Police remand on July 13, 2026.
“In continuation to University Circular number PA/Reg/26/2011-310 dated July 7, 2026, it is hereby circulated for the information of all Rectors, Directors, Heads of the Teaching Departments and in-charge Librarian, Dhanvantri Library that the authors Hilal Ahmad, Santosh Meena and Dr Sushant Giri and the publishers – Oberoi Book Service, Jammu and Anurag Prakashan, have been banned and blacklisted, henceforth, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the School Education Department, Civil Secretariat, J&K vide Government Order No 257-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated July 4, 2026. Furthermore, any printed material authored and/or published by them shall also be withdrawn from the territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” read a circular issued by Jammu University Registrar.
Accordingly, the Registrar has directed all Rectors, Directors, Heads of the Teaching Departments and in-charge Librarian, Dhanvantri Library to adhere to ensure that no books or any other printed material are purchased from these publishers or authors and to take necessary action, wherever applicable, for the withdrawal of any such printed material from their respective offices, departments, libraries and digital repositories, if held, in strict compliance with the mentioned government order.
They have also been asked to establish a robust mechanism through concerned DACs to ensure that no books, journals, magazines or other publications containing anti-national, separatist or objectionable content are procured, distributed or made available in their respective offices, departments or libraries.
Registrar has also directed them to undertake a comprehensive audit and inspection immediately to certify that no such material exists in their offices, departments and libraries as already circulated vide Circular No PA/Reg/26/2011-310 dated July 7, 2026. They have been asked to submit a compliance report to the office of the Registrar.
“A committee shall be constituted by the University for formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for the procurement of books and academic material in the University including framing of a stringent screening mechanism along with periodic random scrutiny by a panel of academicians to prevent objectionable content from entering the University and regularly examining the websites and digital repositories of the University,” the circular read, with the direction for strict compliance by all concerned.
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the Counter Intelligence (CI) Jammu wing had arrested Inderpaul Singh of Oberoi Book Services from Jammu while Girish Arora and Amardeep Singh of Dominant Publishers from Noida were arrested from Delhi.
Arrests were made following extensive search operations conducted in Jammu and Delhi. Earlier the Police had registered a case in this connection under Sections 49, 61 (2), 152, 196 and 353 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and raided their premises on July 6.
On July 4, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had ordered the suspension of eight officials and supervisory staff of School Education Department (SED) for “serious negligence, dereliction of duty”, while recommending two books for Higher Secondary classes, containing “highly inappropriate content related to separatism, having potential for creating law and order situation.”
He also instructed for disengaging a contractual Computer Assistant with immediate effect in this connection and ordered a probe by a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer into the matter.
LG Sinha’s action was preceded by the withdrawal of both the controversial books by the School Education Department, a day earlier, amid political uproar over their inclusion in the government school libraries under “Samagra Shiksha.”
Lieutenant Governor had also ordered for banning and blacklisting the authors and publishers of both the books viz., “Personalities and Legends of J&K”, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu and “Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir” authored by Dr Sushant Giri, published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.
