JKBOSE textbook issue: J&K Police told to register FIR against publishing house

Srinagar: As anger and rage continued over “sensitive content” in a Class 7 course book by a Delhi-based publisher and a Srinagar-based distributor, a senior government official in Srinagar asked J&K police to lodge an FIR in the matter.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has already barred the schools in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh from using the social studies textbook of History and Civics edition 2020 published by JAY CEE publications New Delhi.

An illustration of angel Gabriel and Prophet Mohammad was depicted in the book which instantly sparked rage in the Kashmir Valley.

Additional District Magistrate Srinagar, Syed Haneef Balkhi on Sunday wrote to the Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar to register an FIR against the publisher and distributor JAY CEE Publications (P) Ltd, New Delhi.

“…the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar informed this office that a Delhi-based Publishing House, JAY CEE Publications has published a social studies book for class 7th 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,” Balkhi wrote to SSP Srinagar.

“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,” Balkhi added.

On Sunday, the Director of the concerned Publication House had tendered an apology over “unintentional mistake” in the book.

Noted Islamic scholars had hit out at the publication for the illustration in the book which they said “has shocked the Muslims”.

UNI