Banned Books Cannot Be Kept in Government Schools: Chief Secretary
Srinagar, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday said books banned under provisions of law should not be kept in government schools, describing the examination of books as a regular process.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Sheetal Nath Temple near Kral Khud in Srinagar, Dulloo was asked about the government’s action concerning books and whether more books could be listed.
“Banned books, which the government has banned under provisions of law, should not be in government schools or colleges. The government has taken this decision,” he said.
Dulloo said the examination of books was a regular process and maintained that books that had been banned could not be retained in government educational institutions.
The Chief Secretary also described Sheetal Nath Temple as an important part of Srinagar’s heritage and said it was the collective responsibility of society to preserve such sites for future generations.
He said the temple is believed to be one of the eight Bhairavas associated with the protection of Srinagar and had historically served not only as a place of worship but also as a venue for community and religious gatherings.
Dulloo said the temple had been burnt in 1991 and was subsequently repaired by the Sanatan Dharma Sabha. The shrine was reopened for devotees in 2021 after remaining closed for several decades.
His remarks on books came a day after the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly that 4,249 books had been withdrawn from circulation in government degree college libraries, apart from 518 books that had been classified as banned. [KNT]
