Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] July 4 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday strongly criticised the inclusion of content allegedly glorifying separatist leaders in a book distributed in government schools, accusing the Omar Abdullah government of promoting a "dangerous agenda" and demanding immediate action against those responsible.
Reacting to the mounting controversy centrered around the book "Great Personalities and Legends of J&K", BJP leader Altaf Thakur questioned the portrayal of separatist figures as "great personalities" and said such content would send the wrong message to future generations.
"These are the very terrorists who shook Kashmir to its core and engaged in bloodshed for 30 years, yet you label them as martyrs. What kind of mindset is this? You are including Maqbool Bhat in the syllabus, hailing him as a martyr. What kind of mindset will the future generation develop? What will they think?" Thakur said.
He asserted that those who sacrificed their lives for India's unity should instead be remembered as heroes.
"If there are any true martyrs and great figures, they are individuals like Ayub Pandit and Maqbool Sherwani--who sacrificed their lives for India's unity and integrity. You portray traitors and Hurriyat members as great figures and heroes, calling them 'great personalities' of Jammu and Kashmir. This will not do. Kashmir is a part of India; here, we speak of India's heroes," he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma alleged that the controversial books had already been distributed to libraries in several schools across the Union Territory.
"These books have been distributed to libraries in numerous schools across Jammu and Kashmir. This is a grave offence. A book that praises Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks; a book that refers to the region as 'Indian-occupied Kashmir'--such a book is objectionable and controversial. It must be banned immediately," Sharma said.
He further demanded accountability from all those allegedly involved in the book's publication and distribution.
"Furthermore, be it the author, the publisher, the expert committee, or I wish to emphasise this--even the Education Minister--must be held accountable. It is the duty of the head of the government to immediately remove the Education Minister," Sharma said.
Alleging a larger conspiracy behind the issue, Sharma accused the ruling National Conference (NC) government of being complicit.
"There is absolutely no doubt that there is a specific agenda behind this; it is a massive conspiracy. We do not doubt that the National Conference government is involved in this from top to bottom," he alleged.
The controversy has triggered political reactions, with BJP leaders demanding an immediate ban on the book and action against those responsible for its inclusion in school libraries.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid also criticised the contents of the book, alleging that it glorifies separatist leaders and promotes a narrative against India's sovereignty.
"It is a matter of shame for me that my name is being linked with Masarat Alam and Maqbool Bhat, given that Masarat Alam was a detainee under my custody when I served as Director General of Prisons. The truly shameful thing is that the Jammu & Kashmir government has approved a book for inclusion in all libraries and government schools that hails Maqbool Bhat as a martyr. He wanted to secede Jammu & Kashmir from India; he was involved in acts of terror and committed murder," Vaid said.
He further alleged that the book projects separatist leaders as role models for the younger generation.
"You speak of figures like Masarat Alam, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and Shabir Shah--individuals who acted as mouthpieces here for the agendas of Pakistan's ISI and establishment. They sought to separate Jammu & Kashmir from India, radicalising local youth and inciting them to engage in stone-pelting. By portraying them as legends, you are signalling to the next generation that if they wish to become legends themselves, they should emulate these figures," he said.
Vaid also objected to references to Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the book.
"The book describes Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as the last hope for Kashmir. Is this truly the sentiment of Jammu & Kashmir? You are effectively advancing the agenda of the Pakistani establishment and portraying India as an occupier--labelling the region Indian-occupied Kashmir," he said.
Calling for immediate action, Vaid said, "This book should be banned."
The controversy has triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leaders and the former police chief demanding an immediate ban on the book and accountability for those responsible for its inclusion in school libraries across Jammu and Kashmir.