LG Manoj Sinha orders audit of educational institutions over anti-national literature

SRINAGAR, JULY 7: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting today to review action taken against the circulation of books and literature containing anti-national and separatist content in educational institutions.

The meeting included top officials such as Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Home Department Principal Secretary Chandraker Bharti, and CID ADGP Nitish Kumar. Officials briefed Manoj Sinha on the recovery of books allegedly glorifying separatism, and he emphasized that those responsible for procuring or circulating this literature will face strict legal consequences.

Taking serious note of the issue, Manoj Sinha directed departments to establish an effective mechanism to prevent the procurement and distribution of any publications containing anti-national or objectionable content across schools, colleges, universities, and libraries. Institution heads will be required to affirm within a specified period that no such material is available on their campuses, alongside a comprehensive audit and inspection.

Authorities were also instructed to examine digital repositories and websites of higher educational institutions to immediately remove any objectionable material.To ensure such incidents do not happen again, Manoj Sinha ordered the formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure for procuring academic material.

This procedure will include a screening mechanism with periodic random scrutiny by a panel of educationists, intellectuals, and senior officers.

Manoj Sinha warned that any future lapses will invite strict accountability, holding the head of the concerned institution personally responsible. He reiterated that educational institutions must remain centres of learning and nation-building with zero tolerance for attempts to radicalise students.