Bookstore raids in Kashmir by police prompt widespread criticism
Al Jazeera2 days ago
Kashmir Police Seize 668 Islamic Books in Controversial Raid
Above: Books are displayed for sale on a handcart as Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol along a road in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Feb. 19, 2025. Image copyright: Firdous Nazir/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
Police in Indian-administered Kashmir conducted raids on bookstores in Srinagar and other areas, confiscating 668 books linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, an organization banned by Indian authorities since February 2019.
The seized literature was primarily authored by Abul Ala Maududi, founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, and published by New Delhi-based Markazi Maktaba Islami Publishers, which is affiliated with the Indian branch of the organization.
Indian authorities justified the raids by citing "credible intelligence" of the alleged "clandestine sale and distribution of literature promoting" the organization's ideology.
The Spin
Narrative A
India's seizure of books in Kashmir echoes Orwellian censorship, which is hardly shocking given its post-2019 crackdown on journalists. After revoking Article 370, India imposed blackouts and curfews and targeted reporters with arrests, indictments, and passport seizures; outlets also faced raids, and their archives were erased. This suffocation of free speech and journalism, built on years of harassing Kashmiri voices, reveals a state intent on silencing dissent.
Narrative B
Despite liberal efforts to sanitize Jamaat-e-Islami’s image, its advocates — most notably writers and journalists —use their professions to hide their endorsement of terrorism against Hindus and Jews. The organization's history of Hindu genocide dates back to 1971 and continues today, including its attacks in Bangladesh, Jihad against Jews, and funding of Hamas, revealing its political activism to be a global terror agenda.