The Maharashtra government has ordered the forfeiture of 114 books, magazines and digital publications allegedly linked to banned terrorist organisations, including ISIS, ISKP, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and AQIS. According to an official Home Department notification, the action follows intelligence assessments, cyber surveillance and ATS investigations indicating that the material allegedly promotes violent extremism, ideological indoctrination, radicalisation and activities prejudicial to India's sovereignty, security and communal harmony.
Maharashtra Bans 114 ISIS and Al Qaeda-Linked Publications in Major Crackdown on Terror Propaganda
Based on intelligence inputs, cyber surveillance and investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Squad, the Maharashtra government has ordered the forfeiture of 114 books, magazines and other publications allegedly having links with banned terrorist organizations.
Maharashtra bans 114 publications linked to terrorist organizations, a major step against extremist propaganda. According to a Home Department notification, the literature allegedly promotes violent extremism, ideological indoctrination and radicalization while threatening India’s sovereignty and internal security.
The notification issued on August 6 says that the prohibited material includes books, magazines and digital publications related to organizations such as the Islamic State (IS), Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS).
The state government said the decision was taken based on intelligence assessments, cyber surveillance reports and investigations conducted by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS). Authorities found that continued circulation and possession of such material posed risks to public order, to communal harmony and national security.
Sprouts News understands that the notification is part of the larger strategy of Maharashtra to curb extremist narratives and prevent radicalization through physical and digital propaganda networks.
Maharashtra ban targets literature linked to Islamic State, ISKP and Al Qaeda
The publications identified by the officials promote violent extremism, encourage jihad, provide ideological indoctrination and help recruitment for banned organizations under Indian law, the officials said in a gazette notification.
The materials allegedly contain content promoting narratives that can disturb internal security and communal harmony in the country and encourage activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the government said.
Officials also stated that investigations have revealed the continued circulation of extremist publications through websites, encrypted communication channels, social media platforms and other digital channels associated with proscribed organizations.
The notification also mentions that publication, circulation, distribution, sale, exhibition, possession and storage of these materials in physical or digital form is prejudicial to India's security interests.
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ATS investigations and legal framework behind the decision
Last March, senior police officers and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad officials submitted recommendations to the Maharashtra government regarding literature deemed harmful to national security and public order, the Maharashtra government said.
The notification said the recommendations pertained to newspapers, books, documents, photographs, paintings and drawings allegedly related to activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India and security of the State.
The government said it was satisfied that the material identified related to the terrorist organizations listed in the First Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and related online platforms promoting similar content.
Authorities also flagged related websites, social media accounts, encrypted channels and digital networks which they alleged propagated extremist ideology alongside the banned publications.
The third-person notification said the government believed the identified material could help facilitate recruitment, spread radical ideology and encourage unlawful activities through sustained propaganda efforts.
List of banned publications includes Voice of Khurasan and AQIS material
The banned publications are 44 issues of Voice of Khurasan magazine, associated with the Islamic State and its various branches including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Daish, Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISIS Wilayat Khorasan and Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham-Khorasan.
Other banned titles are Are You Still Sitting, Why Should You Join the Islamic State and Nida_e_Khurasan__1 Urdu, all found in the notification to be linked to Islamic State-related organizations.
The notification also carries The Revolutionary Resurgence issues linked to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment, along with Nawai Gazawa e Hind, School Of Yusuf and Modern Warfare, which it links to Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS).
The latest action by the Maharashtra government is an affirmation of its stated resolve to stop extremist propaganda and curb literature which is allegedly used for radicalization. Officials are expected to monitor digital and physical distribution channels going forward, and enforce the notification under applicable laws. Sprouts News will continue to keep a close watch on any further developments and any implementation updates provided by the state government.
