Timeline of book bans.

Ban on books before their release is a common occurrence in India. . Book bans are usually issued under Section 95 of the CrPC. Section 96 of the CrPC provides for application to High Court to set aside declaration of forfeiture. This page provides examples of how authors – academic or otherwise – have faced backlash from the public and the State for their work, and the responses of the Courts to these situations. You can read about it here ,
In case we have missed on listing any instance of book banned, please use the report button to tell us more.

2022

Name Of Book : Not Provided
Author : Manjit Singh Sodhi
State : Punjab

Description : The book is a class 12 history book prescribed for students in schools affiliated to Punjab School Education Board. The book has been banned by Punjab government for distorting facts related to Sikh History.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-bans-three-history-books-cm-mann-orders-action-against-authors-publishers-7896433/

2022

Name Of Book : Not Provided
Author : Mahinderpal Kaur
State : Punjab

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-bans-three-history-books-cm-mann-orders-action-against-authors-publishers-7896433/

2022

Name Of Book : Not Provided
Author : M S Mann
State : Punjab

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-bans-three-history-books-cm-mann-orders-action-against-authors-publishers-7896433/

2020

Name Of Book : Gunning for the Godman: The True Story Behind Asaram’s Conviction.
Author : Ajay Lamba
State : Delhi

Description : A stay-order was imposed on the publishing of the book by by the Patiala Court of Delhi at the plea of the co-accused of Asaram on grounds that it was defamatory and could prejudice her impending trial. The order was later over-turned by the Delhi High Court after the publisher Harper Collins filed a subsequent plea.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-vacates-stay-on-publication-of-book-on-asaram-bapus-conviction/article32668778.ece#

2020

Name Of Book : Delhi Riots: The Untold Story
Author : Monika Arora, Sonali Chitalkar and Prerna Malhotra.
State : Delhi

Description : The publishing house Bloomsbury dropped the book after the authors planned an unauthorised book launch inviting BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who had given incendiary speeches before the riots led to protests by leading literary figures. The book was picked up by a different publishers and is due for release.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/national/bloomsbury-india-withdraws-from-publishing-controversial-book-on-delhi-riots-876605.html

2017

Name Of Book : Godman to Tycoon: The Untold Story of Baba Ramdev
Author : Not Provided
State : Nationwide

Description : It was banned on the ground that it was extremely defamatory in nature for the protagonist.

Source : https://www.thequint.com/lifestyle/books/priyanka-pathak-narain-author-of-explosive-ramdev-biography

2015-2016

Name Of Book : Madhorubhagan
Author : Perumal Murugan
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.1

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/perumal-murugan-book-controversy-and-madras-high-court/article14476037.ece

2015

Name Of Book : Ocean Wringed World- trans azhi Soozh Ulagu
Author : Joe D’Cruz
State : Nationwide

Description : Narayana initially withdrew from publishing the translation of Joe D’Cruz’ novel after he came out in support of Narendra Modi’s candidacy. The publisher reconsidered after a year if the book could be published.

Source : https://navayana.org/blog/2014/04/15/the-storm-in-the-dcruz-ocean/?v=c86ee0d9d7ed

2014

Name Of Book : Sahara: The Untold Story
Author : Tamal Bandyopadhyay
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : https://scroll.in/article/807460/how-the-sahara-group-fought-to-prevent-a-book-about-its-business-being-published

2014

Name Of Book : The Descent of Air India
Author : Jitendra Bhargava
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bloomsbury-withdraws-book-the-descent-of-air-india-blaming-praful-patel/articleshow/28860338.cms

2014

Name Of Book : Santsurya Tukaram and Loksakha Dnyaneshwar
Author : Anand Yadav
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.2

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/destroy-defamatory-books-on-saints-court/

2014

Name Of Book : The Hindus: An Alternative History
Author : Wendy Doniger
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/destroy-defamatory-books-on-saints-court/

2013

Name Of Book : Dhundi
Author : Yogesh Master
State : Nationwide

Description : Several Hindu organisations protested against this book and accused it to contain objectionable materials against god Ganesha.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/author-of-kannada-novel-dhundi-arrested/article5074797.ece

2013

Name Of Book : Meendezhum Pandiyar Varalaru
Author : K. Senthil Mallar
State : Tamil Nadu

Description : 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.3

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sedition-case-filed-against-author-of-meendezhum-pandiyar-varalaru/article4830943.ece

2011

Name Of Book : Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggle with India
Author : Joseph Lelyveld
State : Gujarat

Description : 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.4

Source : https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/books/gandhi-biography-by-joseph-lelyveld-roils-india.html?pagewanted=all

2010

Name Of Book : The Red Sari
Author : Javier Moro
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/the-red-sari-banned-biography-on-sonia-gandhi-finally-released-in-india-236907-2015-01-22

2010

Name Of Book : Such a Long Journey
Author : Rohinton Mistry
State : Mumbai

Description : 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.5

Source : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/19/mumbai-university-removes-mistry-book

2009

Name Of Book : Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence
Author : Jaswant Singh
State : Gujarat

Description : Banned for containing defamatory references to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Gujarat-bans-Jaswantrsquos-book-on-Jinnah/article16875771.ece

2008

Name Of Book : The Life of Sri Aurobindo
Author : Peter Heehs
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/the-lives-of-sri-aurobindo/289582

2007

Name Of Book : Islam: A Concept of Political World Invasion
Author : R.V. Bhasin
State : Maharashtra

Description : 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.7

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-upholds-ban-on-book-against-Islam/articleshow/5822303.cms

2006

Name Of Book : The Da Vinci Code
Author : Dan Brown
State : Nagaland

Description : It was alleged that the novel could hurt the sentiments of the Christian beliefs. Ban was rejected by SC and several HCs .

Source : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/may/24/books.india

2005

Name Of Book : The True Furqan
Author : Al Saffee & Al Mahdee
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.8

Source : https://web.archive.org/web/20150424042524/http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2k5/csnt78-2k5.htm

2004

Name Of Book : Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India
Author : James Laine
State : Maharashtra

Description : 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.9

Source : https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-supreme-court-upholds-lifting-of-ban-on-shivaji-book-1407570

2003

Name Of Book : Lajja
Author : Tasleema Nasreen
State : West Bengal

Description : Banned by the West Bengal government.

Source : http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/taslima-nasreen-book-dwikhandito-once-banned-bengal-govt-now-in-english-118031100465_1.html

2003

Name Of Book : Dwikhandito
Author : Taslima Nasreen
State : West Bengal

Description : Banned for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. On 22nd September, 2005, the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban.11

Source : https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/taslima-nasreen-book-dwikhandito-once-banned-bengal-govt-now-in-english-118031100465_1.html

2002

Name Of Book : Five Past Midnight in Bhopal
Author : Dominique Lapierre and Javier Moro
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.12

Source : https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/books/gandhi-biography-by-joseph-lelyveld-roils-india.html?pagewanted=all

2001

Name Of Book : Bhavsagar Granth
Author : Written by amost 30 authors under the direction of Baba Bhaniara
State : Punjab

Description : Banned by the Punjab government for hurting the religious feelings of Sikh community.

Source : http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1822/18220490.htm

2001

Name Of Book : The Myth of the Holy Cow
Author : Dwijendra Narayan Jha
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.14

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwinh7nFgKfsAhWV7HMBHTy5DLQQFjADegQIGxAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumns%2FZiya_Us_Salam%2Fto-eat-or-not-to-eat%2Farticle7797190.ece&usg=AOvVaw2jSg9aEABsdAEULnG_gV4w

2000

Name Of Book : Towards Freedom
Author : Sumit Sarkar and K.N. Panikkar
State : Nationwide

Description : The publication of this book was temporarily withheld by the ICHR in 2000 because it portrayed Hindu Maha sabha in a bad light.

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwihsLHUgKfsAhVeIbcAHeFsAzkQFjAFegQIBRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2FLift-%25E2%2580%2598virtual-ban%25E2%2580%2599-on-Bipan-Chandra%25E2%2580%2599s-book-says-IHC%2Farticle17014203.ece&usg=AOvVaw1jL6ULzXSuL3nNfYVSxjqv

1997

Name Of Book : Basava Vachana Deepti
Author : Mate Mahadevi
State : Nationwide

Description : It was banned because she changed Basavanna’s pen name from ‘Kudalasangama Deva’ to ‘Linga Deva’.17

Source : https://www.livelaw.in/sc-upholds-ban-mate-mahadevis-book-even-agreed-right-interpret-religion/

1995

Name Of Book : The Moor’s Last Sigh
Author : Salman Rushdie
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.15

Source : https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/17/19231086/india-removes-its-ban-on-latest-rusdie-novel

1991

Name Of Book : Understanding Islam through Hadis
Author : Ram Swarup
State : Nationwide

Description : It tackles the issues of political Islam. It was claimed that the book was offensive to Muslims.16

Source : https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/books-banned-in-india/

1989

Name Of Book : Soft Target: How the Indian Intelligence Service Penetrated Canada
Author : Zuhair Kashmeri & Brian McAndrew
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.18

Source : https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/danielle-crittenden/banned-books-week_b_984910.html

1988

Name Of Book : The Polyester Prince: The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani
Author : Hamish McDonald
State : Mumbai

Description : Unofficial biography of late Dhirubhai Ambani. Banned for being slanderous against the Ambani family. Never got published in India.19

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi-prWfgafsAhXx63MBHYDWBOoQFjAGegQIBBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewire.in%2Fbooks%2Fthe-unhappy-prince-how-dhirubhai-ambani-buried-a-book&usg=AOvVaw1R-AklSR9vYdge9aVh7-dL

1988

Name Of Book : The Satanic Verses
Author : Salman Rushdie
State : Nationwide

Description : Banned by Rajiv Gandhi’s government.

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjk3turgafsAhXx7XMBHTfUBuYQFjACegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconversation.com%2Fthirty-years-on-why-the-satanic-verses-remains-so-controversial-102321&usg=AOvVaw2i1f-IdKhsCEui3jTq_Op8

1984

Name Of Book : Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim
Author : Sunanda K. Dattaray
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.20

Source : https://scroll.in/article/820287/why-this-book-on-indias-annexation-of-sikkim-needs-to-be-read-today

1983

Name Of Book : The Price of Power: Kissinger and Nixon in the White House
Author : Seymour Hersh
State : Nationwide

Description : Banned for suggesting that Morarji Desai was a CIA informant.

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1ur6zgafsAhXl6XMBHd2nCpcQFjADegQIBBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F1983%2F07%2F14%2Fworld%2Faround-the-world-desai-obtains-ban-on-hersh-book-in-india.html&usg=AOvVaw1AE9O46rDlk3oawzBRllcV

1979

Name Of Book : Who Killed Gandhi
Author : Lourenco De Sadvandor
State : Nationwide

Description : Considered to be “poorly researched” and “inflammatory”.

Source : http://indianexpress.com/article/india/who-killed-gandhi-pil-in-bombay-hc-seeks-revocation-of-ban-on-book-on-gandhis-assassination-5014992/

1976

Name Of Book : India Independent
Author : Charles Bettelheim
State : Nationwide

Description : Banned for criticizing the policies of the Indian government.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/you-cant-read-this-book/article2953626.ece

1975

Name Of Book : Nehru: A Political Biography
Author : Michael Edwards
State : Nationwide

Description : Government considered grievous factual errors in this book.

Source : https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/gsCAjtgJpoOe3RiVVggd3L/A-portrait-that-got-Jawaharlal-Nehru-wrong.html

1975

Name Of Book : Early Islam
Author : Desmond Stewart
State : Nationwide

Description : The book purportedly contains grievous factual errors.

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_in_India

1970

Name Of Book : Man from Moscow
Author : Greville Wynne
State : Nationwide

Description : The book was banned for purportedly misrepresenting Indian policies.

Source : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj3qenJgqfsAhV6H7cAHTYVApYQFjAAegQIAhAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.bookstruck.in%2Fbook%2Fchapter%2F47835&usg=AOvVaw3cQCVoILw9ARTyQ38BmZUQ

1969

Name Of Book : A Struggle between two lines over the question of How to deal with U.S. imperialism.
Author : Fan Asid-Chu
State : Nationwide

Description : This book cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/you-cant-read-this-book/article2953626.ece

1968

Name Of Book : The Jewel in the Lotus
Author : Allen Edwardes
State : Nationwide

Description : Import prohibited absolutely.

Source : https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/banned-in-india-the-1930s-1960s-106052301151_1.html

1964

Name Of Book : Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Author : D.H. Lawrence
State : Nationwide

Description : Banned on the grounds of obscenity.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/here-are-some-interesting-facts-about-the-formerly-banned-and-censored-novel-lady-chatterleys-lover/articleshow/62845961.cms

1964

Name Of Book : An Area of Darkness
Author : V.S. Naipaul
State : Nationwide

Description : Banned for its negative portrayal of India and its people.29

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/fifty-years-ago-naipauls-an-area-of-darkness-was-banned/article6552122.ece

1963

Name Of Book : Unarmed Victory
Author : Bertrand Russell
State : Nationwide

Description : The book dealt with the Sino-Indian War which India lost.30

Source : https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/publish-and-be-banned/cid/496824

1963

Name Of Book : Nepal
Author : Toni Hagen
State : Nationwide

Description : Not much info. is available

Source : Not Provided

1963

Name Of Book : Ayesha
Author : Kurt Frischler
State : Nationwide

Description : Cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/at-a-glance-books-that-have-been-banned-in-india-43072.html/page/4

1962

Name Of Book : Nine Hours to Rama
Author : Stanley Wolpert
State : Nationwide ban

Description : The book was thought to be justifying the actions of Nathuram Godse who murdered Gandhi.

Source : https://theprint.in/opinion/when-nehrus-india-banned-a-story-on-gandhis-murder-and-godses-past/185177/

1960

Name Of Book : The Lotus and the Rama
Author : Arthur Koestler
State : Nationwide

Description : Criticized the Indian democracy. It cannot be imported into India. Also, this book has often been criticized as ill-researched.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/advertising-marketing/some-books-that-met-a-banned-fate-in-india/slideshow/30518943.cms

1959

Name Of Book : The Heart of India
Author : Alexander Campbell
State : Nationwide ban

Description : The book is a fictionalized and humorous account of Indian bureaucracy and economic policy-making.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/policypundit/the-heart-of-india/

1958

Name Of Book : Captive Kashmir
Author : Aziz Beg
State : Nationwide

Description : This book cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/you-cant-read-this-book/article2953626.ece

1956

Name Of Book : Rama Retold or The Ramayana (American edn.)
Author : Aubrey Menen
State : Nationwide

Description : It was a play which was a spoof of The Ramayana.

Source : https://scroll.in/article/817926/aubrey-menons-rama-retold-tells-us-to-laugh-at-the-ramayana-no-wonder-its-still-banned

1955

Name Of Book : Dark Urge
Author : Robert W. Taylor
State : Nationwide

Description : This book cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/you-cant-read-this-book/article2953626.ece

1955

Name Of Book : What has religion done for mankind
Author : Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
State : Nationwide

Description : This book tries to refute Eastern religions and cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/books/you-cant-read-this-book/article2953626.ece

1954

Name Of Book : Bhupat Singh
Author : Kaluwank Ravatwank
State : Nationwide

Description : Not much info. is available

Source : Not Provided

1952

Name Of Book : Marka-e-Somnath
Author : Maulana Muhammad Sadiq Hussain Sahab Sadiq Siddhiqui Sardanvi
State : Nationwide

Description : Written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/banned-in-india-the-1930s-1960s-106052301151_1.html

1952

Name Of Book : Chandramohini
Author : Ansar Nasiri
State : Nationwide

Description : Not much info. is available

Source : Not Provided

1950

Name Of Book : Pakistan-Pasmanzarwa Peshmanzar
Author : Hameed Anwar
State : Nationwide

Description : Originally written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.sify.com/news/books-banned-of-words-and-woes-imagegallery-national-ocorvLcjecisi.html

1950

Name Of Book : Cease-Fire
Author : Agha Babar
State : Nationwide

Description : Originally written in Urdu, cannot be imported into India.

Source : https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/banned-in-india-the-1930s-1960s-106052301151_1.html

1950

Name Of Book : Khak Aur Khoon
Author : Naseem Hijazi
State : Nationwide

Description : 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.

Source : Not Provided

Timeline of book bans.

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Timeline of book bans.

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