Jammu and Kashmir school book pulled after separatist claims

A political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over a book distributed to government school libraries, leading to its withdrawal and a high-level investigation. The book, titled "Great Personalities and Legends of JK Series 4," was procured under the central government's Samagra Shiksha scheme for the 2025-26 academic session and reportedly supplied to schools in June.

Critics, including opposition politicians and civil society groups, allege the publication glorifies separatist leaders and convicted terrorists while using terminology that contradicts India's constitutional position on the region. The book is said to contain chapters on figures such as Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masarat Alam Bhat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Maulvi Muhammad Farooq, presenting them as influential personalities. Specific allegations state the book refers to Maqbool Bhat, who was convicted of murder and executed in 1984, with honorifics like "Shaheed" and "Shaheede-Azam."

Further criticism centers on the book's alleged use of phrases such as "Indian Occupied Kashmir" and "Indian Held Kashmir," terminology commonly associated with Pakistan's official...