Register FIR against Delhi based publishing house: ADM to police

Establish Regulatory Board in J&K to screen publications for schools, other academia: Civil Society

Srinagar, Dec 6: The Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Srinagar has asked the Senior Superintendent of Police to register an FIR against the Delhi based publishing house for deciding a sensitive content which hurts religious sentiments.
In a letter, a copy of which lies with ANB, the ADM Srinagar, Syed Hanief Balkhi has asked SSP Srinagar to take strict action against the Delhi based publishing house as well as against the distributor of the book as per the law.
“CEO Srinagar has informed this office that a Delhi based publishing house, JAY CEE Publications (P) Ltd, AIMO house, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi has published a social studies book for class 07th 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,” reads the letter.
It reads that keeping in view the above, it is requested to take stern action against the said publishing house as well as the distributor of the book as per law.
There has been a massive outrage over the depiction of sensitive content in the textbooks of History and Civics of class 7th by the publication house.
On Sunday Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education directed all affiliated schools of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to withdraw the book from being used or face action for failing to do so.
Meanwhile, the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) today constituted a high level committee to check all books and asked private schools to refrain from introducing any new book before getting it approved by the expert committee.
The Association also held a meeting with all prominent publishers wherein everyone was advised to check every book before releasing it to the.
The Association hailed the government for taking prompt action in this incident. They welcomed the lodging of case as directed by ADC Srinagar Dr Syed Hanif Balkhi and action taken by Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) and Director Education.
“When it comes to books and written material, there should be no room for complacency. Every stakeholder should check every word before introducing and teaching the same to students,” said Var President PSAJK.
Meanwhile the Association constituted a seven member autonomous Academic Committee headed by Khurshid Bismil. The committee will have three members from Kashmir, two from Jammu and one each from Pir Panjal and Chenab valley to check the content and standard of books. The Association said that no school will be allowed to prescribe any new book without approval of the committee.
Meanwhile, a group of religious leaders and clergies have demanded that the publishing house be blacklisted for trying to create communal disharmony.
Mufti Nasir ul Islam, a religious leader condemned depiction of certain material in textbook of History and Civics for class 7th.
Nasir ul Islam termed the act is beyond tolerance and depiction of such material is against the Islam and have hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the country.
He appealed to the authorities and to the Ulemas of the country to ban the book and destroy all the copies of this book and demanded stern action and blacklisting of Delhi based publishing house JAY CEE Publications.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum has asked the government to establish a Regulatory Board in J&K to screen all kinds of publications for schools and other academia.
JKCSF chairman, Abdul Qayoom Wani expressed anguish over the emergence of such objectionable material meant for school curriculum that has hurt the sentiments of the people.
JKCSF also hailed the decision of JKBOSE for taking quick action in banning the sale and distribution of the said publication to avoid further confusions and a setback to religious belief.
It condemned the act of publication of certain material that has hurt the sentiments of the people, in spite of the publishing house having regretted the mistake made by them.
JKCSF demanded for commissioning of a Regulatory Board that will monitor, check and safeguard the syllabus, books and other journals meant for curriculum sale, study and distribution in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure all time peace and safety of the studies. (ANB)