The order follows recent protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs nationally but is in opposition in Jammu and Kashmir, over two government school library books it said glorified separatist leaders and promoted anti-national sentiments.

The books - profiles of "great personalities" from Jammu and Kashmir that had been in school libraries since 2023 - were withdrawn after the uproar. Police later arrested three people linked to their publication, while the administration suspended eight education department officials.

Last week's order, issued after the row over the two books, does not define "objectionable material", saying only that it includes content that could violate religious sentiments or laws, harm national interest or educational values, and that books must follow India's "age-appropriate" education guidelines.

School education director Naseer Ahmad Wani told the BBC that a committee would review books across schools and libraries, but did not define what would qualify as "objectionable" material.

Last year, authorities banned 25 books, including works by Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy and scholar A.G. Noorani, saying they promoted "false narratives and secessionism". The ban is being challenged in court.

Noor Mohammad Baba, a political scientist, said restrictions like the latest order go against the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by India's constitution.

A Kashmir studies teacher, who asked not to be named, said that in a region where history, education and identity are deeply contested, screening books raises "legitimate questions about academic freedom and the state's role in defining acceptable narratives".

Some political leaders allege that the order speaks to a broader pattern of surveillance and a crackdown on dissent by the government.