J&K Board Orders Schools To Withdraw Textbook Carrying ‘Sensitive’ Content Against Islam

The textbook in question was a class 7 History and Civics textbook published by JAY CEE Publications (P) Ltd. It was reported that the textbook carried pictorial depictions related to Islam. 

Representational Image | Getty

New Delhi: All the schools in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were directed by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) to withdraw textbooks from a Delhi-based publisher after it was reported that it carried blasphemous text against Islam. 

The textbook in question was a class 7 History and Civics textbook published by JAY CEE Publications (P) Ltd, AIMO House, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. The textbooks were stacked and distributed by Paradise Book Shop, Parrypora, Srinagar. It was reported that the textbook carried pictorial depictions related to Islam. 

As reported by PTI, the Director, Academics, JKBOSE, in an order said, “all the schools of the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, affiliated with the CBSE, the JKBOSE or any other board, are directed not to use the 2020 edition of the textbook.”

The order further read that the book should be withdrawn immediately if it was being used in any school, otherwise strict would be initiated as warranted under the provisions of law. 

JKBOSE condemned publication of such material that had hurt people’s sentiments and directed the publisher to immediately withdraw the textbook from all the schools where it had been distributed. 

Srinagar district administration directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the publisher and distributor of the textbook. Syed Haneef Balkhi, Additional District Magistrate, Srinagar wrote a letter to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar stating that the content of the book was “sensitive” and that strict action should be initiated. 

"JAY CEE Publications (P) Ltd, AIMO House, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi has published a social studies book for Class 7 wherein content of sensitive nature has reportedly been published and is in circulation. The said book is being stocked and distributed by Paradise Book Shop, Parraypora, Srinagar," the letter read. 

President of the National Conference and former Chief Minister of J&K, Farooq Abdullah also condemned the material published in the textbook. He said that such “irresponsible” publication hurts the sentiments of Muslims and is “least helpful" in preserving the values of dialogue and coexistence. 

"School books should be a beacon of respect, tolerance, and peace that rejects practices and acts which are contrary to coexistence. A thorough inquiry should be ordered into the matter and those behind publishing such caricatures insensitive to Muslims should be dealt with as per the rule of the land," he said. 

He demanded the withdrawal of the book and action against the publisher. He also said that there should be a committee to review the content of books meant for children. 

Meanwhile, the publisher, JAY CEE Publications Private Limited, regretted for their “mistake” in the class 7 textbook titled “History and Civics”, 2020 edition.