Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police SP Vaid on Saturday, 4 July sharply criticised the Union Territory government for approving a book allegedly distributed in government school libraries that, he said, 'glorifies extremists and separatist leaders.' His remarks came on the same day the Centre designated 23 individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — a move Vaid welcomed as a 'powerful statement' to the international community.

The UAPA Designations

The Union Home Minister's Office confirmed that of the 23 newly designated terrorists, 17 are Pakistani nationals and six are Indian nationals, all of whom reportedly conduct terrorist operations from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Vaid noted that the designations would empower investigating agencies to seize properties linked to these individuals. 'Designating them will help the investigating agencies to seize their properties,' he said.

The School Book Controversy

A controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after reports emerged that a book allegedly glorifying separatist and anti-national figures had been distributed in government school libraries. Vaid called the episode 'extremely shameful.' He alleged the book quotes separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani describing India as an occupier — a characterisation Vaid flatly rejected. 'Jammu and Kashmir had an accession with India. The real occupier is the military of Pakistan,' he said, pointing to what he described as atrocities being faced by people in PoJK.

Figures Named in the Book

According to Vaid, the book also references JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat — convicted and executed following due legal process — in a manner he described as glorifying. He further alleged the book portrays Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a separatist leader, as 'the last hope of Jammu and Kashmir.' Vaid argued this framing contradicts the democratic will expressed by voters in recent elections. 'It might be the mindset of the author, but it cannot be the thinking of the people there, otherwise elections won't have been successful,' he said.

Calls for Action and Accountability

The former DGP alleged the book 'attempts to show separatist leaders as martyrs' and described its language as consistent with narratives promoted by Pakistan's ISI. He called for the book to be banned and demanded legal action against those who approved it for school libraries. Vaid also urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to apologise to the families of security personnel who lost their lives serving the Union Territory. He expressed alarm at what he described as a broader radicalisation risk, alleging that government schools were being targeted after madrasas. The government has not yet issued a formal public response to his remarks.