Srinagar, September 23 (KNS): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has expressed serious concern over the withdrawal of 4,249 books termed “objectionable” from colleges and libraries across Jammu and Kashmir, with almost 4,000 of them from Kashmir alone, as disclosed by the Government in the Legislative Assembly.

In a post on X, Mirwaiz said:

“The disclosure by the Government in the Legislative Assembly that the Higher Education Department has withdrawn 4,249 ‘objectionable’ books from colleges and libraries across J&K, with almost 4,000 of them from Kashmir alone, is both disturbing and unfortunate. What exactly made these books objectionable? The titles and reasons for their removal must be made public.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Academic freedom in universities and colleges and access to diverse perspectives are fundamental to education and the evolution of society. Attempts to ideologically regulate what students can and cannot read impoverish learning and critical thought.

By withdrawing these books, whose agenda is the elected government implementing — its own or someone else’s? People deserve clarity on that.”

Mirwaiz said that transparency on such an important matter concerning educational institutions and access to knowledge is essential, and the people have a right to know the basis on which such a large number of books have been removed from circulation.(KNS)