Prophet’s sketch in school book sparks anger in Valley

NT Correspondent

Srinagar: A sketch of Prophet Muhammad, in a school book, which is considered sacrilegious by Muslims, has sparked anger in the valley. While the Jammu and Kashmir government has asked J&K police to register a case against the publisher and Srinagar distributor, the publisher has tendered an apology.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) too has ordered schools in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh not to use the History and Civics edition 2020 school book, published by New Delhi based Jay Cee Publications Limited.

The school book had used an illustration in a chapter with a caption, “A painting of archangel Gabriel who brought message to Muhammad.” In Islam, the illustration of the Prophet is forbidden and is considered sacrilegious.Syed Haneef Balkhi, Srinagar’s Additional District Magistrate told News Trail that he has written to Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar to register FIR against the publisher and distributor of Class VII social studies textbook published by Jay Cee Publications. “... 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,” Balki in a letter to SSP Srinagar has said. “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.”

The publisher house has also tendered an apology over “unintentional mistake” in the book. The Srinagar-based distributor on Monday said that he has expressed his “strong displeasure” to the publisher regarding the depiction used in the book. In the Valley, Islamic scholars have criticized the publisher for using the illustration.