Aug 7, 2025: 25 books, including those by well-known authors Arundhati Roy and AG Noorani, have been banned by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for allegedly spreading a false narrative and encouraging secessionism in the UT. "Twenty-five books have been identified that propagate false narratives and secessionism in J&K and are hereby declared ‘forfeited’ under Section 98 of the BNSS," read a notification from the J&K Home Department. AG Noorani's "The Kashmir Dispute 1947-2012," David Devadas' "In Search of a Future: The Story of Kashmir," Anuradha Bhasin's "A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir after Article 370," Maroof Raza's "Confronting Terrorism," Seema Kazi's "Between Democracy and Nation," and Arundhati Roy's "Azadi" are among The notification, issued by the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, states: “Available evidence based on investigations and credible intelligence unflinchingly indicate that a significant driver behind youth participation in violence and terrorism has been the systematic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature by its persistent internal circulation, often disguised as historical or political commentary, while playing a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State”.
It further states that such literature deeply impacts the psyche of youth by promoting a culture of grievance, victimhood, and terrorist heroism. "Distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, and providing pathways to violence and terrorism are some of the ways this literature has contributed to the radicalization of youth in J&K." The retaliation comes in response to information provided by intelligence agencies that suggested terror groups might be attempting to promote secessionist ideology among Kashmir's youth.