Mumbai, August 7: The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step to combat terrorism and the spread of radical ideologies. The Home Department issued an extraordinary gazette notification banning the publication of 114 radical publications, magazines, and other literature linked to terrorist organizations. Additionally, all physical and digital copies will be seized in favor of the government.
According to the gazette, investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), intelligence agencies, and cyber surveillance revealed that the distribution of certain radical literature and digital content continues unabated. The government asserts that such material glorifies violent extremism, incites youth towards radicalization, promotes recruitment into terrorist organizations, and poses a serious threat to the sovereignty, integrity, state security, and public order of the nation.
The notification stated, “Intelligence reports, cyber surveillance findings, and investigations by Mumbai’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have shown a persistent dissemination of radical and extremist literature, publications, and propaganda linked to organizations involved in or supporting terrorist and unlawful activities. Such material has been found to glorify violent extremism and jihad. It includes promoting radicalization, ideologically motivating individuals, aiding recruitment, and inciting actions against India’s sovereignty and integrity.”
The Additional Director General of Police for Mumbai’s Anti-Terrorism Squad informed the state government through a letter dated March 17 about the need to seize certain newspapers, books, documents, and other materials due to their association with activities against India’s sovereignty and integrity, state security, and public order.
Based on this information, the state government has acted and issued the notification under Section 98(1) of the Indian Citizen Security Code (BNSC) 2023, imposing a ban on all listed publications.
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