Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said they had seized 668 books linked to a banned organization during a search operation in Srinagar. The police claimed the books promoted the ideology of the banned group.
A police spokesperson said, “Based on credible intelligence, we conducted a search and seized literature promoting the ideology of a banned organization.” Without naming the group or the author, police confirmed that legal action had been initiated under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
The books are linked to Maulana Abul A’la Maududi, the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami. The police said they have initiated legal action under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
The seizure has sparked strong reactions from political leaders, who see it as an attack on religious freedoms.
National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi called the move “state oppression and intolerance.” He said, “First, Shab-e-Barat prayers at Jama Masjid were barred, and the masjid was sealed. Now, even books are being taken away. Will the state now decide what Kashmiris can read and believe?”
“If that wasn’t enough, there are reports of police seizing literature by Maulana Maududi (RA). Will the state now dictate what Kashmiris read, learn, and believe? This is an unacceptable overreach. If such an order exists, it must be revoked immediately.”
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.
