Srinagar, July 7 (JKNS): In the wake of the controversy over alleged anti-national and separatist content in books supplied to government schools, the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has directed all Government schools, private schools and coaching centres across the Jammu division to conduct a comprehensive review of all books available on their premises to ensure that no publication contains objectionable or inappropriate content.
The order comes days after two books supplied to government schools, libraries triggered widespread outrage over alleged glorification of separatist figures and objectionable content.
According to Circular No. 10-DSEJ of 2026, dated July 6, issued by the Director School Education Jammu, all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) have been asked to examine books available in classrooms, libraries, staff rooms, offices and other institutional premises, including both recently acquired and older publications.
The circular states that the review aims to ensure that no book contains material that violates religious sentiments, prevailing laws, educational values or established norms. It also directs that all reading material must conform to the age-appropriate guidelines and objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Directorate has instructed HoIs to prepare a detailed report in case any objectionable content is found, mentioning the title of the book, author, publisher and the number of copies available.
It further directed all Government institutions, private schools and coaching centres to complete the exercise within seven days and submit a compliance certificate to the concerned Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) by July 13, 2026, certifying that all books have been reviewed and that no objectionable material exists on the premises. Where objectionable content is detected, the compliance certificate must be accompanied by the detailed report.
The ZEOs have been directed to scrutinise and consolidate all reports and forward them to the respective Chief Education Officers (CEOs) by July 15, while CEOs of the Jammu division have been asked to submit district-wise compliance reports to the Directorate by July 17, 2026.
The order also states that Joint Directors of the Directorate will collect the certification reports from all districts and submit a consolidated report to the Director School Education Jammu by July 17.
The Directorate warned that any lapse in complying with the instructions would be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action would be initiated against the defaulting officers under the applicable rules.
The fresh directive comes amid heightened scrutiny of school library books following the recent controversy over publications allegedly containing objectionable and separatist-related content, which prompted the government to order a wider review of educational material.
The issue was first raised publicly by BJP leader and MLA Sham Lal Sharma, who questioned the inclusion of the content in books meant for school libraries, prompting criticism from several political parties and civil society groups.
Following the controversy, Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS) earlier told JKNS that the department had already withdrawn the books and initiated action against those responsible, while assuring that accountability would be fixed after a detailed inquiry.
Subsequently, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter, suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, removed a contractual employee, and directed strict action to ensure that no such content finds place in educational material supplied to government schools in future.
Meanwhile, the Counter Intelligence wing of J&K Police is also investigating the matter after registering a criminal case and have raided several places in Jammu and Noida. (JKNS)
