Srinagar, July 4 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Minister for School Education Sakeena Itoo on Saturday said the government will take the strictest possible action against everyone responsible for the controversial books found in government school libraries, asserting that any conspiracy aimed at influencing young minds will not be tolerated.
The statement came after the controversy erupted that a book titled “Personalities & Lehends of J&K” supplied to government school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme contained content glorifying separatist leaders and terrorists.
Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, as per the news agency JKNS, has said that, action was initiated as soon as the matter came to her notice.
“It is unfortunate. The moment it came to my notice, I instructed the Education Secretary to act immediately. I had asked for termination, but suspension orders have been issued first and an inquiry has already been ordered,” she said.
The Minister said that after the inquiry report is submitted, the government will ensure the strictest action against everyone found involved.
“Whoever is found responsible will face the toughest action. This cannot be tolerated. A deliberate conspiracy appears to have been hatched and we will not allow such things,” Itoo said.
Itoo further stated that officials found guilty would be terminated from service and indicated that criminal proceedings would also be initiated against those responsible.
“I believe a criminal case should also be registered against those involved. Whoever is found guilty will be terminated after the inquiry process,” she said.
The Minister also announced that the publishers of the controversial books would be permanently blacklisted.
“These publishers should never be allowed to publish books again whether in Kashmir, Jammu or even Delhi. Anyone involved in such a conspiracy has no right to publish educational material in the future,” she added.
Following the row, the School Education Department withdrew the books from all schools, suspended eight officials, disengaged a contractual employee, ordered a high-level inquiry and blacklisted the authors and publishers while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered suspension of eight officials of school education department and ordered high level probe.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma had also demanded strict action, alleging the books promoted an anti-national narrative. (JKNS)