Kashmir bans 25 books for 'secessionism'

BOOKS INCLUDE THOSE BY BOOKER PRIZE WINNER ARUNDHATI ROY

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Indian authorities in Kashmir have banned 25 books, including a work by Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, saying the titles “excite secessionism” in the region.

The ban threatens people with prison time for selling or owning works by authors such as constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and noted academicians and historians like Sumantra Bose, Christopher Snedden and Victoria Schofield.

Booksellers and owners could face prison

The order was issued on Tuesday by the region’s Home Department, which is under the direct control of Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, New Delhi’s top administrator in Kashmir.

Sinha wields substantial power in the region as the national government’s representative.| “The identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India,” the Home Department said in its notice. It said such books played “a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State.”