J&K school textbook row: Omar Abdullah govt under fire over 'separatist glorification' claims
Synopsis
A textbook supplied to J&K school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme allegedly portrays JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat and Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani as 'great personalities' — putting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government under fire and making it harder to deflect blame to the L-G's office, as it did in an earlier book-ban row.
Key Takeaways
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Forum (JKPF) has alleged that a textbook titled 'Great Personalities and Legends of J&K (Series-4)' glorifies separatist leaders and militants.
The book was procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme and distributed to school libraries across Jammu and Kashmir .
Figures allegedly portrayed positively include JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat and Syed Ali Shah Geelani .
Critics have demanded criminal prosecution under the UAPA against those who recommended and distributed the book.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier distanced his government from the L-G's ban on 25 books on similar grounds; this row directly implicates his administration.
The Jammu and Kashmir government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is facing mounting criticism after a textbook procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme was alleged to glorify separatist leaders and individuals linked to terrorism. The controversy erupted on 4 July in Srinagar, with civil society groups demanding criminal action against those responsible for recommending and distributing the book.
The Allegation
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Forum (JKPF), a social and non-political organisation, has alleged that a book titled 'Great Personalities and Legends of J&K (Series-4)' — supplied to school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme — portrays figures including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Maqbool Bhat as 'great personalities'. Both individuals are widely regarded as separatist icons by critics of the administration.
According to the JKPF, the book romanticises militancy and its distribution in school libraries constitutes a serious lapse in oversight by the elected government. Civil society members have echoed this concern, demanding strict action against the subject-matter experts who recommended the book and the officials who cleared its procurement under the scheme.
Demands for Criminal Prosecution
Critics have gone further, calling on the Union Territory administration to initiate criminal prosecution against those responsible for the book's distribution. They have pointed to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which prescribes severe criminal penalties for distributing literature on behalf of an organisation declared an 'unlawful association'. However, legal observers note that courts have established precedents requiring proof of actionable intent behind such literature — not merely its possession or distribution — before prosecution can succeed.
Background: The L-G Book Ban Row
This controversy follows an earlier flashpoint involving the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, whose administration banned 25 books also alleged to glorify terrorism. At the time, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly distanced his government from that decision, stating that the ban was handled entirely by the Union Home Department, which falls under the L-G's direct control — not the elected government.
That earlier episode had already created friction between the elected administration and the centrally appointed L-G office. The latest textbook row, critics argue, now places the Omar Abdullah government itself in the dock — making it difficult to deflect responsibility to the L-G's office this time, since the Samagra Shiksha Scheme operates through state education channels.
What Happens Next
The JKPF has urged the government to immediately withdraw the book from school libraries and initiate a review of all literature procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. No official response from the Omar Abdullah administration had been issued at the time of reporting. With the controversy gaining traction, pressure is likely to mount on the government to act — or risk further political fallout ahead of what remains a sensitive period for governance in the Union Territory.
Point of View
Which means accountability for this procurement sits squarely with the elected government — not Raj Bhavan. What makes this politically damaging is the optics: a government that publicly resisted a book ban is now accused of actively procuring literature that critics say crosses the same line. The deeper question — how such a book clears multiple layers of educational procurement without scrutiny — points to systemic gaps in content review that neither the elected government nor the L-G's office has yet addressed.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the J&K school textbook controversy about?
A textbook titled 'Great Personalities and Legends of J&K (Series-4)', procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, has been alleged to glorify separatist leaders including JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat and Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The book was distributed to school libraries across Jammu and Kashmir, triggering demands for its withdrawal and criminal action against those responsible.
Who has raised objections to the textbook?
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Forum (JKPF), a social and non-political organisation, has led the criticism. Civil society members have also demanded action against the subject-matter experts who recommended the book and the officials who cleared its procurement under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
How does this relate to the earlier book ban by the L-G?
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's administration banned 25 books alleged to glorify terrorism. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had distanced his government from that decision, saying it was handled by the Union Home Department under L-G control. The current row directly involves the elected government's own educational procurement process.
Can those responsible be prosecuted under the UAPA?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) does prescribe criminal penalties for distributing literature on behalf of organisations declared unlawful. However, courts have set precedents requiring proof of actionable intent — not just distribution — before prosecution can proceed, making the legal path complex.
What action has the Omar Abdullah government taken so far?
No official response from the Omar Abdullah administration had been issued at the time of reporting. The JKPF has demanded immediate withdrawal of the book from school libraries and a broader review of all literature procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
