Srinagar, September 23: The Jammu and Kashmir government has examined 21,81,582 books and publications available in Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory as part of an ongoing review of library material.

According to information provided in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, 4,249 books, excluding titles already covered by an earlier ban, have been withdrawn from circulation following the scrutiny.

The figures were disclosed by the Higher Education Department in response to a question raised by Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh during the ongoing Assembly session.

Kashmir accounts for majority of withdrawals

Of the 21.81 lakh books and publications examined so far, 12,48,641 were from the Kashmir division, while 9,32,941 were from the Jammu division.

The government said that 3,996 books were withdrawn in Kashmir and 253 in Jammu, taking the number of books withdrawn through the present scrutiny exercise to 4,249.

The review has not yet concluded. A further 1,752 books have been referred for expert examination. Of these, 1,214 are from Kashmir and 538 from Jammu.

The government has described the scrutiny as a continuing and time-consuming exercise, indicating that additional material may be examined before the process is completed.

Earlier banned books treated separately

The Assembly response also provided figures relating to books covered by the government’s earlier forfeiture order.

The J&K Home Department issued S.O. 203 on August 5, 2025, forfeiting 25 books on the stated grounds that they propagated what the order described as false narratives and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. The official J&K government notification records the order under the Home Department.

During the latest library review, authorities found and removed 518 copies of 19 titles covered by that 2025 order.

These 518 copies should not be added to the 4,249 figure without qualification. The government’s response treats the 4,249 books withdrawn during the current scrutiny and the 518 copies of previously banned titles as separate categories.

MLA seeks details of withdrawn material

The issue was raised in the Assembly by Sheikh Khursheed, who sought information about the books removed from libraries and questioned the lack of details concerning their titles, authors and publishers.

The Assembly discussion has therefore brought renewed attention to the criteria being applied to books in government higher-education institutions and to the need for details about material removed from circulation.

Scrutiny remains underway

The government has said that books requiring further examination have been referred to the appropriate authorities for expert review. The department has also indicated that the exercise involves a substantial volume of material and therefore requires additional time.

The latest figures show that the exercise covers a considerably larger body of material than the books already withdrawn. More than 21.81 lakh publications have been examined, while decisions concerning the 1,752 books sent for expert examination are still pending.

The disclosure in the Assembly provides the latest official figures available on the ongoing scrutiny of library material in Jammu and Kashmir’s Government Degree Colleges.

Sources: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly response as reported by The New Indian Express, The Tribune, Rising Kashmir and other reports; J&K Government notification S.O. 203 dated August 5, 2025.