Srinagar, July 4: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, disengaged a contractual employee and ordered a departmental inquiry into the selection and procurement of school library books alleged to contain “separatist” and “anti-national” content.
The action came after a controversy erupted over the presence of certain books in government school libraries that allegedly glorified separatist ideology and terrorists.
According to an official order, the suspended officials include serving and retired officers associated with the process of selection and procurement of the books. A contractual employee linked to the exercise has also been disengaged with immediate effect.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the School Education Department to conduct a detailed inquiry to fix responsibility for the alleged lapses in the approval and procurement process. The probe will examine how the books were selected, vetted and supplied to government schools despite the objectionable content, officials said.
The administration said accountability would be ensured and appropriate action taken against all those found responsible. It also ordered a review of library books available in government schools to ensure that educational material conforms to prescribed academic standards and does not contain content deemed inappropriate or contrary to national interests.
The controversy has sparked a political debate, with the BJP demanding a complete ban on the books and alleging that they promoted extremist narratives among students.
The School Education Department is expected to submit its inquiry report after examining the procurement process and identifying officials responsible for the alleged irregularities.
