Supreme Court Seeks Jammu & Kashmir Government’s Response on PIL Against Ban of 25 Books

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Jammu and Kashmir administration regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging its decision to ban 25 books for allegedly promoting "secessionism" and endangering national sovereignty.

The petitioners argue the prohibition violates freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and lacks procedural fairness under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

The Court emphasised the need to balance state security concerns with fundamental rights and directed the government to justify the ban legally. 

[Shakir Shabir v Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ors.]