Indian Police Seize Islamic Books in IIOJK, Spark Outrage
Police Raids on Bookshops Indian police in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) recently raided several bookshops and confiscated hundreds of copies of books authored by the late Islamic scholar Abul Ala Maududi. The books are associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, the political party banned by the Indian government in 2019. The authorities cited “credible intelligence” linking these books to a banned organization promoting an extremist ideology.
Background on the Ban Jamaat-e-Islami’s IIOJK branch was banned in 2019 for being an “unlawful association,” with the government claiming the group was engaged in activities against national security. The ban was renewed in 2024, reinforcing the government’s stance against what it deems activities against India’s sovereignty.
Public Outrage The raids have sparked strong condemnation from local leaders. Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of IIOJK and advocate for self-determination, labeled the seizure of Islamic literature as “ridiculous,” emphasizing that such literature promotes moral values and responsible citizenship. Farooq criticized the actions, particularly highlighting the absurdity of policing thought, as most of these books are freely available online.
Police Justification Authorities defended the raids by stating that they were conducted to prevent the circulation of banned literature. They stated that those found in possession of such materials would face legal consequences, arguing that the books violated regulations.
Wider Concerns This action has intensified concerns over the curtailment of civil liberties in IIOJK since the imposition of direct rule by Modi’s government in 2019. Critics argue that this crackdown on literature and intellectual freedoms signals an ongoing erosion of autonomy and rights in the region.
Key Points:
- Police Seize Islamic Literature: Bookshops in IIOJK raided and books by Abul Ala Maududi seized.
- Government’s Justification: Police claim raids were due to intelligence linking books to banned Jamaat-e-Islami.
- Outrage from Religious Leaders: Chief cleric Umar Farooq condemns the action as an attack on intellectual freedoms.
- Civil Liberties Concerns: Critics highlight increasing restrictions since the revocation of IIOJK’s autonomy in 2019.
