The Jammu and Kashmir government had directed that 25 books be banned, including works by popular authors like Moulana Moudadi, Arundhati Roy, A G Noorani, Victoria Schofield, and David Devadas, stating they propagate "false narratives and glorify terrorism".

Home Department had passed a directive on Wednesday, which read, "It has been brought to the notice of the Government that certain literature spreads false narrative and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir."

The order further cited investigations and credible intelligence as having unequivocally proved that among the major causes of young individuals becoming involved in terrorism and violence was the "systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often masquerading as historical or political commentary".

The order had declared that this type of material was crucial in "misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence" against the nation.

It had also said that such publications influenced the mind of youth by "promoting culture of grievance, victimhood and terrorist heroism".

The order had also stated, "Some of the ways in which this literature has added to the radicalisation of youth in J&K are distortion of historical facts, terrorists being glorified, vilification of security forces, religious radicalisation, induction of alienation, gateway to violence and terrorism etc."

As per this, 25 books had been identified for promotion of "false narrative and secessionism" in Jammu and Kashmir, and the government had chosen to pronounce them "forfeited" under Section 98 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.

Based on the order, these 25 books were discovered to be "excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India", due to which they came under sections 152, 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The notification had also said, "Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares publication of 25 books and their copies or other documents to be forfeited to the government."

Included in the books listed were Al Jihadul fil Islam by Islamic scholar and Jammat-e-Islami founder Moulana Moudadi, Independent Kashmir by Australian writer Christopher Snedden, In Search of a Future (The Story of Kasimir) by David Devadas, Kashmir in Conflict (India, Pakistan and the unending War) by Victoria Schofield, The Kashmir Dispute (1947-2012) by A G Noorani, and Azadi by Arundhati Roy.