August 9, 2025

In a sharp and fiery message, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 8, 2025, made it crystal clear that he had nothing to do with the recent ban on 25 books in the region. He fired back at critics on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Get your facts right before you call me a coward, you ignoramus. The ban has been imposed by the L-G using the only department he officially controls – the Home Department. I’ve never banned books and I never would.” The controversy began when the J&K Home Department, under the Lieutenant-Governor’s control, slapped a ban on 25 books. They used Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, calling these books “forfeited for propagating false narrative and secessionism.” Among the banned authors are big names like Arundhati Roy, Christopher Snedden, A.G. Noorani, Sumantra Bose, and several others. This move shook the bookshops in Srinagar – one shopkeeper was seen waiting for eager customers on August 7, 2025. The ban drew sharp criticism and protests from writers, intellectuals, and citizens alike. Many see this as an attack on free speech and a tough hand by the Lieutenant-Governor’s administration. The buzz in Jammu and Kashmir is loud: Who really holds the power? Mr. Abdullah’s clear statement puts the spotlight back on the Lieutenant-Governor’s administration. As the debate rages on, book lovers and writers wait to see if this ban will be softened or if more titles will join the list. One thing is clear – the battle over words is far from over in this beautiful valley.

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Tags: Omar abdullah, Book ban, Jammu and kashmir, Lieutenant-governor, Bhartiya nagarik suraksha sanhita, Censorship,