Banned Books in India
"The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame. - Oscar Wilde”
Various publications have been banned in India over the years for a variety of reasons ranging from defamation to insulting a community's religious feelings. Section 95 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, confers powers on the State Government to ban a book if it contains content that may "promote, or attempt to promote, enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, or disharmony, or feeling of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious groups, and the publication of such matters is punishable under Section 95."
Common idea about humans as being somewhat closed-minded has long been a source of contention. It doesn't matter if it's about equal rights, social issues, or literature. Books are prohibited in India for a variety of reasons, ranging from being regarded too destructive to the nation's integrity to simply being offensive. Freedom of speech is a very tough line to tread, which is why there's never really any cause to restrict something simply for being shit. It also questions the intellectual freedom exercising in india, are we open to explore new ideas.
List of 50+ Banned books in India, Since independence
Here are some of the books that are challenged/banned in India since independence,
Godman to Tycoon: The Untold Story of Baba Ramdev, By Priyanka Pathak Narain
| Year | 2017 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It was banned on the ground that it was extremely defamatory in nature for the protagonist.
Madhorubhagan, By Perumal Murugan
| Year | 2010 |
| Status | Previously Nationwide banned,currently available on E-Commerce websites. |
It was alleged that the book contained materials that hurts the sentiments of the community, defamed women and outraged religious feelings. Subsequently after several protests, the author withdrew all the unsold copies of this novel. Petition were filed in the Madras High Court in order to ban the book but the petition was dismissed and book didn’t got banned.
Korkoi, By Joe D’Cruz
| Year | 2015 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Sahara: The Untold Story, By Tamal Bandyopadhyay
| Year | 2014 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
A stay order was ordered on the release of this book by the Calcutta High Court. Though the book was released, but with a disclaimer given by Sahara.
The Descent of Air India, By Jitendra Bhargava
| Year | 2014 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The author who worked for almost two decades with Air India brings out his insider view about the ground reality of the company. All the book was withdrawn later on by the publisher because of defamation charges.
Santsurya Tukaram and Loksakha Dnyaneshwar, By Anand Yadav
| Year | 2014 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
A magistrate in Pune ordered to destroy the copies of these two novels which is based on the lives of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram. It was alleged that the contents of these novels were defamatory.
The Hindus: An Alternative History, By Wendy Doniger
| Year | 2014 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book was withdrawn from the Indian market, prompting widespread concerns about the state of free speech in India. But after a period of twelve months, the book was republished under a different publisher.
Dhundi, By Yogesh Master
| Year | 2013 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Several Hindu organisations protested against this book and accused it to contain objectionable materials against god Ganesha.
Meendezhum Pandiyar Varalaru, By K. Senthil Mallar
| Year | 2013 |
| Status | Tamil Nadu |
It was alleged that certain contents in this book was abusive against other castes and in the nature of spreading hatred and disharmony. SO, the Madras HC ordered to make alterations in the book and lifted the forfeiture.
Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggle with India, By Joseph Lelyveld
| Year | 2011 |
| Status | Gujarat Ban |
It was interpreted and suggested in this biographical book that M.K. Gandhi was bisexual. Whereas according to the author the book only says that he was deeply attached to Kallenbach and did not explicitly stated that Gandhi was bisexual.
The Red Sari, Javier Moro
| Year | 2010 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Originally published in Spanish by the name ‘El Sari Rojo’, this book was alleged to be violating the privacy of a person for monetary gain. However, it was released in India in Jan, 2015 as it was not officially banned.
Such a Long Journey, By Rohinton Mistry
| Year | 2010 |
| Status | Mumbai Ban |
Withdrawn by the Mumbai University from its Bachelor of Art (English) syllabus. The book allegedly contained anti-Shiv Sena passages and remarks derogatory to Maharastrians.
Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence, By Jaswant Singh
| Year | 2009 |
| Status | Gujarat Ban |
Banned for containing defamatory references to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Life of Sri Aurobindo, Peter Heehs
| Year | 2008 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It was alleged that the book contains objectionable matters depicting distorted facts about the life and character of Sri Aurobindo. In 2004, a stay order was passed by the Odisha High Court on the release of the book.
Islam: A Concept of Political World Invasion, By R.V. Bhasin
| Year | 2007 |
| Status | Maharashtra Ban |
SC upheld the ban and said that the author had used insulting comments on Muslim community, which is an aggravated form of criticism and can hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.
The Da Vinci Code, By Dan Brown
| Year | 2006 |
| Status | Nagaland Ban |
It was alleged that the novel could hurt the sentiments of the Christian beliefs. Ban was rejected by SC and several HCs .
The True Furqan, By Al Saffee & Al Mahdee
| Year | 2005 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Islamic groups declared the book as a Christian propaganda and claimed that it slyly mocked at Islam. Some even claimed it was a US-Israel pact to insult Islam. Though it was essentially a Christian world versus Islam phenomenon, the Indian government took exception to it and banned its import.
Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India,By James Laine
| Year | 2004 |
| Status | Maharashtra Ban |
In 2004, this book was banned as it contained disparaging remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji. But the ban was lifted in 2010 by the Supreme Court.
Dwikhandito, By Taslima Nasreen
| Year | 2003 |
| Status | West Bengal Ban |
Banned for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. On 22nd September, 2005, the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban.
Lajja, By Tasleema Nasreen
| Year | 2003 |
| Status | West Bengal Ban |
Banned by the West Bengal government.
Five Past Midnight in Bhopal, By Dominique Lapierre and Javier Moro
| Year | 2002 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book was banned after Swaraj Puri, the commissioner of Bhopal during that period, filed a defamation suit. Later, the ban was lifted by the Madhya Pradesh high court.
Bhavsagar Granth, By various
| Year | 2001 |
| Status | Punjab Ban |
The Myth of the Holy Cow, By Dwijendra Narayan Jha
| Year | 2002 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book allegedly said that beef was eaten by ancient Indians. The author received anonymous threat calls and had to be provided a police escort.
Towards Freedom, By Sumit Sarkar and K.N. Panikkar
| Year | 2000 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The publication of this book was temporarily withheld by the ICHR in 2000 because it portrayed Hindu Maha sabha in a bad light.
Basava Vachana Deepti, By Mate Mahadevi
| Year | 1997 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It was banned because she changed Basavanna’s pen name from ‘Kudalasangama Deva’ to ‘Linga Deva’.
The Moor’s Last Sigh, By Salman Rushdie
| Year | 1995 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The Indian government placed a de facto ban on the novel, claiming that the fictional Ramar Fielding seemed to be a thinly veiled version of Bal Thackeray, one of India's most prominent Hindu nationalist politicians. But later in 1996, the ban was lifted by the Supreme Court.
Understanding Islam through Hadis, By Ram Swarup
| Year | 1991 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It tackles the issues of political Islam. It was claimed that the book was offensive to Muslims.
Soft Target: How the Indian Intelligence Service Penetrated Canada, By Zuhair Kashmeri & Brian McAndrew
| Year | 1989 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The authors argue that Indian intelligence agencies, determined to discredit the Sikh bid for an independent state, penetrated not only Sikh communities but also the RCMP and CSIS. The book claims the government of India was involved in the plane's bombing.
The Polyester Prince: The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani, By Hamish McDonald
| Year | 1988 |
| Status | Mumbai Ban |
Unofficial biography of late Dhirubhai Ambani. Banned for being slanderous against the Ambani family. Never got published in India.
The Satanic Verses, By Salman Rushdie
| Year | 1988 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Banned by Rajiv Gandhi’s government.
Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim, By Sunanda K. Dattaray
| Year | 1984 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book dealt with India's annexation of Sikkim. The Delhi High Court had stopped its publication after a political officer station in Gangtok at the time filed a defamation suit. The book was later allowed for release.
The Price of Power: Kissinger and Nixon in the White House, By Seymour Hersh
| Year | 1983 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Banned for suggesting that Morarji Desai was a CIA informant.
Who Killed Gandhi, By Lourenco De Sadvandor
| Year | 1979 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Considered to be “poorly researched” and “inflammatory”.
India Independent, By Charles Bettelheim
| Year | 1976 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Banned for criticizing the policies of the Indian government.
Early Islam, By Desmond Stewart
| Year | 1975 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book purportedly contains grievous factual errors.
Nehru: A Political Biography, By Michael Edwards
| Year | 1975 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Government considered grievous factual errors in this book.
Man from Moscow, By Greville Wynne
| Year | 1970 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book was banned for purportedly misrepresenting Indian policies.
A Struggle between two lines over the question of How to deal with U.S. imperialism, By Fan Asid-Chu
| Year | 1969 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
This book cannot be imported into India.
The Jewel in the Lotus, By Allen Edwardes
| Year | 1968 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Import prohibited absolutely.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover, By D.H. Lawrence
| Year | 1964 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Banned on the grounds of obscenity.
An Area of Darkness, By V.S. Naipaul
| Year | 1964 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Banned for its negative portrayal of India and its people.
Ayesha, By Kurt Frischler
| Year | 1963 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Cannot be imported into India.
Unarmed Victory, By Bertrand Russell
| Year | 1963 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book dealt with the Sino-Indian War which India lost.
Nepal, Toni Hagen
| Year | 1963 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Author First foreigner to travel Nepal, accused of supporting 1959 Tibetan Uprising fueling Khampa Revolution (a guirella military revolution) against China using Nepalese soil.
Nine Hours to Rama, By Stanley Wolpert
| Year | 1962 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book was thought to be justifying the actions of Nathuram Godse who murdered Gandhi.
The Lotus and the Rama, By Arthur Koestler
| Year | 1960 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Criticized the Indian democracy. It cannot be imported into India. Also, this book has often been criticized as ill-researched.
The Heart of India, Alexander Campbell
| Year | 1959 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
The book is a fictionalized and humorous account of Indian bureaucracy and economic policy-making.
Captive Kashmir, by Aziz Beg
| Year | 1958 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
This book cannot be imported into India.
Rama Retold or The Ramayana, by Aubrey Menen
| Year | 1956 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It was a play which was a spoof of The Ramayana.
What has religion done for mankind, By Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
| Year | 1955 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
This book tries to refute Eastern religions and cannot be imported into India.
Dark Urge, By Robert W. Taylor
| Year | 1955 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
This book cannot be imported into India.
Bhupat Singh, by Kaluwank Ravatwank
| Year | 1954 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Chandramohini, By Ansar Nasiri
| Year | 1952 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
It was banned on the ground that it was extremely defamatory in nature for the protagonist.
Marka-e-Somnath, By Maulana Muhammad Sadiq Hussain Sahab Sadiq Siddhiqui Sardanvi
| Year | 1952 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.
Pakistan-Pasmanzarwa Peshmanzar, By Hameed Anwar
| Year | 1950 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Originally written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.
Khak Aur Khoon. By Naseem Hijazi
| Year | 1950 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
A 1950 book, banned nationwide. This book portrays the true face of the Hindu fanaticism at the time of Independence when the Hindus tried to rob the Muslims who were trying to escape to Pakistan during the partition.
Cease-Fire, By Agha Babar
| Year | 1950 |
| Status | Nationwide Ban |
Originally written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.
End of List of Challenged books in india after Independence
"Banning books give us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight. Stephen Chbosky, "
