Mumbai: In a sweeping crackdown on extremist propaganda, the Maharashtra Government has outlawed 114 publications linked to globally designated terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State (ISIS), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and Al Qaeda, declaring that the material promotes violent jihad, radicalisation and anti-national activities.
Acting on intelligence inputs, cyber surveillance and investigations by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Home Department issued a Gazette notification on August 6 directing authorities to seize and forfeit books, magazines and other propaganda material found to be fuelling extremist ideology.
The government said the banned literature glorifies violent extremism, indoctrinates vulnerable individuals, facilitates terrorist recruitment and incites activities prejudicial to India’s sovereignty, integrity, public order and internal security.
The notification prohibits the publication, circulation, sale, distribution, exhibition, possession and storage of the identified material in both physical and digital formats, warning that its continued dissemination poses a grave threat to communal harmony and national security.
According to the government, intelligence agencies and the ATS found that radical publications linked to proscribed terrorist organisations continue to circulate through print, websites, encrypted messaging platforms and social media networks despite sustained enforcement efforts.
The action follows recommendations made in March last year by senior police and ATS officials, who advised the State Government to confiscate publications, documents, photographs, drawings and other material associated with organisations engaged in activities detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Among the banned publications are 44 editions of the ISIS-linked “Voice of Khurasan” magazine, along with extremist titles such as “Are You Still Sitting,” “Why Should You Join the Islamic State,” and “Nida-e-Khurasan-1 Urdu.” The notification also outlaws issues of “The Revolutionary Resurgence,” linked to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment, and “Nawai Gazawa-e-Hind,” “School of Yusuf,” and “Modern Warfare,” associated with Al Qaeda and its Indian Subcontinent affiliate.
The government said the ban forms part of its broader strategy to curb the spread of terrorist ideology, dismantle radicalisation networks and prevent extremist organisations from exploiting digital and physical platforms to influence vulnerable individuals.
Officials reiterated that any material linked to organisations listed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, including their online propaganda channels and associated networks, would be treated as a threat to national security and dealt with strictly under the law.
