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List of Banned Books in India

List of Banned Books in India: Throughout history, various books have faced bans in India for different reasons. These bans reflect the social, political, and religious sensitivities of different periods in Indian history.

Key Periods of Book Banning

British Colonial Era

During British rule, several books were banned, including works by prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi. His book “Hind Swaraj” was banned in 1909.

Post-Independence Era

After India gained independence, book banning continued for various reasons, including religious sensitivity, political criticism, and perceived threats to national security.

Notable Banned Books

Some of the most famous banned books include:

  1. The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie (1988)
  2. Nine Hours to Rama” by Stanley Wolpert (1962)
  3. An Area of Darkness” by V. S. Naipaul (1964)

Reasons for Banning

Books have been banned for various reasons, including:

  • Religious sentiments
  • Political criticism
  • National security concerns
  • Cultural insensitivity

Impact and Controversy

Book banning in India has often sparked debates about freedom of expression and the limits of censorship.

List of Banned Books in India

Year Book Title Author Reason for Ban
1909 Hind Swaraj Mahatma Gandhi Banned by British authorities
1924 Rangila Rasul Pandit M. A. Chamupati Described Prophet Muhammad’s relationships
1936 The Face of Mother India Katherine Mayo Critical of India
1960 The Lotus and the Robot Arthur Koestler Negative portrayal of Gandhi
1962 Nine Hours to Rama Stanley Wolpert Security concerns
1964 An Area of Darkness V. S. Naipaul Negative portrayal of India
1988 The Satanic Verses Salman Rushdie Religious sentiments
2005 The True Furqan Al Saffee, Al Mahdee Allegedly mocking Islam

This overview provides a glimpse into the history of book banning in India, highlighting the complex interplay between freedom of expression and societal sensitivities.

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