Kashmir Crackdown on Religious Literature
In a dramatic escalation of domination of religious books in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the government has made mass raids on bookshops and seized hundreds of books linked to the banned Islamic organization, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). The move has set off passionate controversy over religious freedom, press censorship, and broader implications for civil liberties in the region.
The Raids and Seizures
On February 14, 2025, police in Jammu and Kashmir carried out joint raids in Srinagar, the state capital, and a few other districts. Some bookshops were raided, and there was the seizure of 668 books. The books, the authorities claim, are stated to spread the ideology of JeI, which was banned by the Indian government in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Police officials defended the action on reasons that they had "credible intelligence" about the "clandestine sale and distribution of literature disseminating the ideology of a proscribed organisation." Books which were confiscated were primarily published by Markazi Maktaba Islami Publishers, a New Delhi publishing house sympathetic to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the most prominent Islamic organisation in South Asia.
Historical Context: The Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami
The Indian government prohibited Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir (JeI-K) in February 2019, a few months before revoking the special status of the state under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in August 2019. The prohibition was put in place on the basis that the group was allegedly financing and patronizing militant groups in the state.
Even though JeI-Kashmir has historically adopted separatist ideology, advocating independent Kashmir or joining Pakistan, the movement had distanced itself from armed militancy towards the end of the 1990s. The Indian government continues to maintain that JeI is still a national security threat.
Books Seized and Their Significance
Most of the seized books belonged to Abul Ala Maududi (1903–1979), a noted Islamic thinker and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami. The works of Maududi concentrate mainly on the synthesis of religion and politics, a topic that has been contentious within India's secular environment.
In line with the local booksellers, the banned books were lawfully published in New Delhi and had been circulated for decades with no previous restriction. The operation has also stepped up the apprehensions of thinkers and religious intellectuals who think blocking books is comparable to suppressing the exchange of intellectual ideas.
Rise of Censorship in Kashmir
Since the abrogation of Article 370, Indian-held Kashmir has witnessed a sharp surge in restrictions on press freedom, civil liberties, and religious practice. Reporters, activists, and politicians are facing increased scrutiny, with the government exerting tight grip over information dissemination.
Various Kashmiri political and religious leaders have condemned the new crackdown.
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leading religious cleric, rejected the raids as "absurd and condemnable," noting that closure of books at a time of the internet age was out of the question.
- Local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders participating in recent local body polls characterized the book raids as "unjust, unconstitutional, and a breach of fundamental rights."
International Reactions and Legal Issues
The United Nations Human Rights Office and several global human rights monitor organizations, like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have expressed concerns about mounting censorship and repression in Kashmir.
Indian law permits the seizure of books that promote banned groups or radical ideologies. However, opponents argue that banning books violates democratic ideals and academic freedom.
Geopolitical Implications: The Kashmir Conflict
Kashmir is a powder keg of tension between India and Pakistan, each claiming the region in its entirety. The dispute has fueled decades of unrest, with armed insurgency and militant operations since 1989.
India accuses Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, which Islamabad denies, stating that it only provides diplomatic and moral assistance to Kashmir's self-determination cause.
The newest crackdown on Islamic books is likely to further worsen tensions, which could result in new protests and diplomatic conflicts between India and Pakistan.
What's Next?
- Legal Challenges: Lawyers and human rights activists will challenge the seizures of the book in Indian courts, arguing that they infringe constitutional freedom of expression rights.
- Heightened Surveillance: Security agencies will likely step up surveillance of bookshops, mosques, and websites related to banned organizations.
- Public Outrage: Protests against government action can be anticipated, particularly from students, religious groups, and scholars.
Conclusion
Recent bookstore raids in Kashmir show a broader trend of increased state control over political speech, religious practice, and information. While the government justifies such actions as a counter-terrorism operation, critics claim that they contribute to further alienating people in Kashmir from the Indian government and fostering suspicion.
As tensions increase, the coming months will determine if these limitations will lead to more civil unrest or if diplomacy will ease tensions in the region.
External Links for Further Reading:
- BBC News – Kashmir Conflict Updates
- Amnesty International – Human Rights Violations in Kashmir
- The Diplomat – India's Policy in Kashmir
- Al Jazeera – India-Pakistan Relations