Maharashtra Bans Literature Glorifying Violent Extremism by Proscribed Organisations

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has banned literature linked to terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State (IS), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) that glorifies violent extremism, jihad and promotes radicalisation. In a gazette notification issued on August 6, the Home Department directed authorities to forfeit 114 items of radical literature, including books and magazines. The decision follows intelligence inputs, cyber surveillance and investigations by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which found continued circulation and dissemination of extremist propaganda associated with banned terror outfits.