L-G directs vigilance to bar entry of anti-national publications into J-K education institutes

Srinagar, Jul 7 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed the administration to ensure robust monitoring over procurement, distribution and availability of publications containing anti-national, separatist or objectionable content in education institutes and libraries in the Union territory. The L-G chaired a meeting with senior officers and reviewed the action taken regarding the circulation of books and literature containing anti-national and separatist content in education institutions, according to an official statement. Officials briefed the L-G on the recovery of books allegedly glorifying separatism, emphasising that those responsible for procuring, approving, or circulating the literature will face strict legal consequences. Taking serious note of the matter, Sinha directed the departments concerned to put in place effective mechanism to ensure no procurement, distribution and availability of any publications including books, journals, magazines or any literature containing anti-national, separatist or objectionable content in the universities, government and private colleges and schools, public and private libraries, etc. This would include the heads of these institutions affirming within specified period against availability of any such material in their respective institutions, apart from conduct of comprehensive audit and inspection thereof, he said. The L-G also instructed authorities to examine websites and digital repositories of universities and higher education institutions and immediately remove any objectionable material. Emphasising that such incidents must not recur, Sinha directed formulation of a standard operating procedure (SoP) governing the procurement of books and academic material for schools, colleges and universities. The SoP should provide for a robust screening mechanism, including periodic random scrutiny by a panel comprising eminent educationists, intellectuals and senior officers, to ensure that no material promoting anti-national or separatist narratives enters education institutions. The L-G warned that any lapse would invite strict accountability, and the head of the institution concerned would be held personally responsible for the same. Reiterating the administration's commitment to safeguarding the education ecosystem, the L-G said institutions must remain centres of learning, nation-building and constitutional values, with zero tolerance for any attempt to mislead or radicalise students through objectionable literature. PTI SSB ARB ARB