Controversial book: police search Samagra Shiksha office in Jammu

Counter Intelligence Jammu, the special wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, visited the office of Samagra Shiksha on Monday, July 6, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation to identify those responsible for the book. Great Personalities and Legends of J&Kwhich profiles Kashmiri separatist leaders like Maqbool Bhat, Masarat Alam, Shabir Shah and Syed Ali Geelani.

A team from the special cell of the police visited the headquarters of the Samagra Shiksha office in Channi Himmat, Jammu, officials said. Many officials were interrogated.

Around 251 copies of the book written by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena were distributed in schools in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said four subcommittees consisting of experts have been formed for the selection.

Following protests by the BJP, a First Information Report was registered.

The Lieutenant Governor’s administration has already suspended eight civil servants and blacklisted two writers and publishers.

Comprehensive review

J&K Samagra Shiksha on Monday, July 6, 2026, reconstituted its verification committees to conduct a comprehensive review of all textbooks and library books purchased under the Library Component for the 2025-26 academic session. He instructed the committees to “ensure that no objectionable words, misleading references, inappropriate content or inappropriate material remain in any publication.”

Meanwhile, Samagra Shiksha has decided to “suspend all payments to publishers until the verification process is completed.” “No publisher will receive payment unless the committees certify that the books fully comply with the established academic and quality standards. All pending invoices will remain suspended until verification reports are sent and approved by the competent authority,” the statement said.