As I make the list of 10 books banned in India, a quote from Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix comes to my mind:

“What exactly are you so happy about?’ Harry asked her.
‘Oh Harry, don’t you see?’ Hermione breathed. ‘If she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in this school will read your interview, it was banning it!”

Very few things are as potent as the allure of forbidden knowledge and this quote by J.K. Rowling captures the paradox of book banning beautifully. It reminds us that attempting to suppress ideas often has the unintended consequence of amplifying their influence.

We have a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and beliefs in India that have co-existed for centuries. Yet, we have had our fair share of books that have caused controversies, scandals and protests leading to them being banned. These books, silenced by the authorities or challenged by individuals and groups, have left behind a legacy that can only be a result of its ban.

There are some books that are only banned in certain regions of India, like ‘Lajja by Taslima Nareen’ is banned only in West Bengal and ‘The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown’ is banned in Nagaland. In this post we are going to cover 10 Books that are banned nationwide in India.

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Here’s a list of 10 Books Banned in India

1. Understanding Islam through Hadis by Ram Swarup

This book is a study, based on the English translation of the Sahih Muslim, the second most important collection of Sunni hadiths. The translated work is by Abdul Hamid Siddiqi. The book delves into various aspects of Islam, including its ethics, and practices, and scrutinizes them in the light of the Hadiths. The book became controversial for the author’s critical and non-apologetic approach to the study of the particular religion.

This book was banned in 1991 India for its critique of the Islam.

2. Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie tells the story of two Indian actors, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who miraculously survive a hijacked airplane explosion over the English Channel. However, their lives are profoundly altered, and they begin experiencing surreal and fantastical transformations. Salman Rushdie weaves together the stories of Gibreel and Saladin with elements of magical realism and mythology, while exploring themes of exile, diaspora, and the clash between different cultures. “Satanic verses,” is the central element of the novel that sparked  significant controversy throughout the world. The series of verses supposedly revealed to the Prophet Muhammad but later revealed to be inspired by Satan.

The publication of this book led to protests and death threats against Salman Rushdie. Many Muslim communities found the book blasphemous and offensive and as such the book was banned in India in 1988.
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3. Who Killed Gandhi? by Lourenço de Salvador

Who Killed Gandhi? by Lourenço de Salvador that examines the events related to and leading upto the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The book explores the conspiracy theory behind Gandhi’s assassination and taking a look into the motivations and ideologies of the individuals involved. Lourenço De Salvador’s work provides a political and historical context for the assassination. It reveals the various conflicts within Indian society at the time. The book raises questions about the factors that led to Gandhi’s assassination and the impact it had on India’s road to Independence.

The book was banned in India in 1979 as it was considered to be inflammatory and ill-researched.

4. Man from Moscow by Greville Wynne

“Man from Moscow” is a memoir by Greville Wynne, a British businessman who claimed to have been recruited by the British Intelligence during the second world war. Historians question his account making Greville Wynne one of the most infamous spies. According to his account in the book, Wynne’s primary role was to gather valuable information about the Soviet Union’s nuclear capabilities and military strategies. He used his cover as a businessman to establish connections with Oleg Penkovsky, a Soviet military officer. The book offers a firsthand account of the risks and challenges faced by Wynne including the constant threat of exposure and the toll it took on his personal life. Whether a true account or not, the book makes for a good read for spy thriller enthusiasts.

This book was banned in India in 1970 for misrepresenting Indian policies.

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5. An Area of Darkness by V.S.Naipaul

An Area of Darkness is the first book in ‘India Trilogy’ by V.S.Naipaul. Its is a travelogue and memoir that explores the author’s journey to India in the early 1960s. Naipaul’s narrative provides a critical examination of his experiences in India. He talks about his encounters with poverty, cultural dissonance, and a sense of disillusionment. He covers the complexities of life in of post-colonial India in much detail, while covering socio-political, and spiritual aspects. He talks about the idealised expectations and reality of a nation that is still finding it’s footing post colonisation.

The book was banned in India in 1964 for portraying the country in a negative light.

6. Nine Hours to Rama by Stanley Wolpert

Nine Hours to Rama is a work of fiction by Stanley Wolpert that of the life and assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The story primarily revolves around the final nine hours leading up to Gandhi’s assassination on 30th January 1948. The novel is narrated from multiple point of views including the assassin Nathuram Godse, a police officer, and Gandhi himself. The book is all about motivations, thoughts, and emotions of these characters while taking into account the political significance of the moment in Indian history.

There is a movie of the same name that was based on this book. Both the movie and the book are banned in India as they supposedly reveal severe security lapses. The book was banned in 1962.

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7. Captive Kashmir: Story of a Betrayed and Enslaved People by Aziz Beg

Captive Kashmir: Story of a Betrayed and Enslaved People by Aziz Beg delves into the complex and disputed history of the Kashmir region in India. It particularly focuses on the conflict between India and Pakistan over the territory. The book provides a detailed account of the region’s history in a political context. It cover a long period, starting from the time of British colonial rule to the Partition of India in 1947 and the subsequent conflict. Aziz Beg offers a perspective that is sympathetic to the aspirations of Kashmiri Muslims for autonomy. He discusses the impact of political decisions, military interventions, and the suffering endured by the people of Kashmir because of decades of conflict. The book focuses on the experiences and grievances of the Kashmiri people who are caught in between of the crossfire of geopolitical struggles. 

This book was banned in India in 1958 for its criticism of India’s stand on Kashmir.

8. Dark Urge by Robert W. Taylor

The Dark Urge by Robert W. Taylor  is a bit of an oddity on this list as the basis of the ban for this book was its extremely dark psychological content as opposed to the other books that were banned for political or religious reasons. 

The book is psychological thriller that delves into the mind of its protagonist, David McClelland. On the surface, David is a normal person living a very ordinary life. But in reality is is a serial killer who grapples with disturbing and violent urges. The book explores his inner struggles, taking readers on a dark journey into the complexities of human psychology and moral dilemmas.

This book was banned in India in 1955.

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9. Rama Retold by Aubrey Menen

As the title suggests, ”Rama Retold” by Aubrey Menen is a retelling of Ramayana, one of India’s biggest epic tale. The author reimagines the epic tale from a more satirical lens and has presented Rama as a flawed and human character. The book offers a very different perspective on the epic’s characters and events, with a sprinkle of humour in it. The author covers the main themes of Ramayana – love, power, duty, and morality but with the aim of challenging conventional beliefs that Ramayana represents.

This book was banned in India in 1955 as it is considered to be a ‘spoof’ of the Indian epic tale.

10. What has Religion done for Mankind

What Has Religion Done for Mankind? is a book published by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The book examines the role of religion throughout history. It’s primary focus is on how religion has shaped human societies by providing moral and ethical frameworks for  mankind. The book is presented from the perspective of Jehovah’s Witnesses and as such it highlights their belief system. 

This book is banned in India in 1954 on religious basis as it tries to refute Eastern religions.

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There you go… a list of 10 banned books in India that is sure to pique your curiosity – either about the content of the book itself or why it was banned. If you have read any of these books (we won’t ask you how you managed to get your hands on it!) do let us know what you thought about it in the comments below. Same for books that were banned that we may have missed and which we should add to this list. Please remember we want to know about books that were banned nationwide and not just controversial.   

And before you wander off to other depths of the internet – as a bookworm, what do you think about the book banning culture & how do you react to a book that challenges your beliefs?