Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday strongly criticized the recent ban on 25 books in the Union Territory, saying he has never supported such actions and would “never ban a book”.
Responding to a social media post that tagged him while demanding the revocation of the ban, Abdullah clarified that the decision was not made by his government but by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration.
“Get your facts right before you call me a coward you ignoramus. The ban has been imposed by the LG using the only department he officially controls – the Home Department. I've never banned books and I never would,” Abdullah said on X.
The J&K Home Department, which falls under the LG’s purview, had issued an order declaring 25 books as “forfeited” under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The administration claimed that the books promote “secessionism” in the region.
The banned titles include works by prominent authors such as Moulana Moududi, Arundhati Roy, A G Noorani, Victoria Schofield and David Devadas.
Abdullah's remarks underline the ongoing friction between the elected government and the LG-led administration over control and accountability for decisions affecting the region.