File photo of a militant firing a heavy machine gun in Afghanistan.
| Photo Credit: AFP
The Maharashtra government has banned the literature of terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State, Al Qaeda, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, and Islamic State in Khorasan Province, for glorifying violent extremism and providing ideological indoctrination.
In a gazette notification on August 6, 2026, the Home Department stated that the literature which glorifies violent extremism and jihad, besides promoting radicalisation will be banned.
“The State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)’s investigation and their cyber surveillance reports suggest that there has been continued circulation, possession and transmission of radical and extremist literature, publications, and propagandist material linked to terrorist organisations,” the gazette stated.
In the gazette, the government has instructed respective authorities to “forfeit 114 items of radical literature, including magazines and books”. The 114 banned literature material, includes 44 issues of Voice of Khurasan magazine, Are you still sitting, Why Should You Join the Islamic State and Nida-e-Khurasan-Urdu, that are all linked to the Islamic State and all its manifestations, along with issues of The Revolutionary Resurgence linked to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen/ Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment, Nawai Gazawa-e-Hind, School Of Yusuf and Modern Warfare linked to the Al Qaeda/Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Citing reasons for the decision, the authorities in the gazette highlighted that the particular literature poses a threat to public law and order and internal security as it consists of material that glorifies violent extremism and provides ideological indoctrination. It also becomes a way of recruitment and incites or encourages acts prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
ATS raids
Over the last few months, the ATS conducted several raids across Maharashtra. For instance, in February, it launched a search operation across 21 locations in Yavatmal and Ahilyanagar districts over extremist activities, questioning 14 suspects. During the raid, the ATS seized documents, laptops, books, and mobile phones over objectionable content. Last year, in November, the ATS arrested 37-year-old software engineer Zubair Hangargekar from Pune for allegedly preaching youngsters that “democracy is against shariat” and created content on topics, including jihad and ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, the takeover of the Indian subcontinent by a caliphate.
In March, the ATS informed the State government of several literature that were associated with activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that this literature needs to be banned.
The ATS Additional Director General of Police through a letter dated March 17, 2026 informed the State government that certain newspapers, books, documents and other materials, including paintings, drawings, photographs and other visible representations, are required to be forfeited as they are associated with activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State and public order and attract offences punishable under Sections 152, 196, 197 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).
Published – August 07, 2026 05:48 pm IST
