ANN News Exposes TRT World’s Baseless Claims: Jammu & Kashmir Police Target Extremist Literature, Not Islamic Discourse

 

ANN NEWS DESK 

In a striking rebuttal to sensationalized reporting, Srinagar-based ANN News has dismantled a misleading narrative propagated by Turkey’s TRT World, which falsely accused Jammu and Kashmir Police of “targeting Islamic literature” to stifle religious and intellectual freedom.

 

 

 

An in-depth investigation by ANN reveals that the police actions were specifically aimed at curbing extremist materials linked to banned groups, with no infringement on legitimate Islamic scholarship. The report underscores how misinformation campaigns risk distorting global perceptions of Kashmir’s security dynamics.

 

 

 

TRT World’s article, published last week, alleged that authorities in Jammu and Kashmir were “raiding bookstores and confiscating Islamic texts,” framing the actions as an assault on religious freedom. The report cited unnamed sources claiming a “climate of fear” among scholars and readers. However, the article provided no verifiable evidence, such as specific titles seized or testimonies from affected individuals, raising immediate red flags about its credibility.

 

 

ANN News deployed teams across the region, visiting over 15 bookstores in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag, including prominent hubs like Darul Kitab and Al-Noor Publications,  known for their extensive collections of Islamic texts. Reporters documented shelves filled with Quranic commentaries, Hadith compilations, and works by revered scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Ghazali—all freely available.

 

 

 

Extremist Materials, Not Religious Texts:J&K Police confirmed the seizure of 668 books tied to Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a banned organization designated for promoting separatism and violence. Examples include

 

“The Caliphate Revival,” which glorify armed struggle and radical ideologies.

Legal Framework:The seizures were conducted under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits literature inciting violence or undermining national integrity.

– Mohammad Aslam, owner of  Srinagar Book Emporium: “Police only asked about books by (JeI ideologue) Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Regular Islamic books are untouched.”

Aisha Bhat, a university student: “I bought Rumi’s Masnavi last week. No one stopped me. TRT’s claims don’t reflect reality here.”

 

Local leaders and scholars have endorsed the police’s targeted approach:

 

Prof. Riyaz Ahmed Islamic Studies Scholar at Kashmir University: “There’s a clear difference between extremist pamphlets and classical Islamic theology. The crackdown addresses the former, not the latter.”

Advocate Faisal Qadri : “The BNSS Act is crucial to prevent radicalization. TRT’s portrayal ignores the context—Kashmir has suffered decades of violence fueled by such propaganda.”

 

ANN News highlighted a stark example of misinformation: TRT World cited a “ban on Arabic-language books,” yet reporters found Arabic primers and Quranic lexicons openly sold in Sopore, a town once considered a hotbed of militancy. Conversely, a shop in Pulwama was found discreetly distributing JeI pamphlets disguised as religious texts, justifying the police’s vigilance.

 

 

This incident underscores the perils of irresponsible journalism. TRT World, which has previously faced criticism for promoting Turkish government narratives, appears to have recycled outdated tropes about Kashmir without verifying facts on the ground. In contrast, ANN’s evidence-based approach—featuring photo documentation, witness interviews, and legal analysis—sets a benchmark for accountability.

Dr. Sameer Khan, a geopolitical analyst, noted, “International outlets often exploit Kashmir’s complexity to push ideological agendas. ANN’s work is a reminder that local voices must lead these conversations.”

 

 

ANN News’ investigation not only debunks TRT World’s claims but also reaffirms the necessity of nuanced reporting in conflict zones. By conflating counter-terrorism measures with religious suppression, TRT’s narrative risks alienating communities and undermining efforts to stabilize the Jammu and Kashmir . As Kashmir continues its journey toward peace, the role of truthful, localized journalism—as practiced by ANN—remains indispensable.

 

 

Editor-in-Chief, ANN News

This report adheres to ANN News’ commitment to accuracy and contextual integrity. For further details, visit ANN News Kashmir]