Growing Intolerance – Ban Jeans, Ban Apps, Ban Books
India is the world’s largest democracy, and although this is a fact on paper, in practice, a specific group of elected individuals makes all the choices, shapes the narratives, and oversees our knowledge consumption. Any story that challenges the authority or the system is prohibited, which ironically brings to mind a famous quote by Oscar Wilde that states, “The books the world labels immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.”
This is not a recent occurrence; numerous books were banned by the British. It is well understood that literature significantly influenced India’s Freedom struggle, and numerous literary figures contributed their efforts to raise awareness and inspire a sense of patriotism among Indians. One book by Imad Sabari named “Netaji Ke Saathi” discusses Lala Shankarlal’s contributions to Netaji in Japan. The colonial authorities prohibited this book. Angare, a play along with nine short stories in Urdu that ridiculed religious conservatism and colonial governance, was similarly prohibited by the colonial authorities. Certainly, the state has undoubtedly evolved, but the concept of safeguarding its sanctity remains unchanged. The banned books reflect all the issues within our society, and we, as a unified community, choose to silence dissenting voices rather than foster change, don’t we?
Here is a compilation of books that have been prohibited in India at some point or are currently banned. Here is where we discover what the government wishes to hide from us, the methods to dismantle the power structures that exist primarily to benefit those in authority:
LAJJA by Tasleema Nasreen
Against the setting of anti-Hindu riots in Bangladesh following the destruction of Babri Masjid, Taslima Nasreen’s Lajja focuses on religious fundamentalism. The book was prohibited in 1993 for hurting Muslim feelings. Initially, the book was prohibited in Bangladesh, followed by a ban in India. The author explained that she did not condemn Islam in Lajja; she views the book as a representation of resistance against violence, hatred, rapes, and killings committed in the name of religion. The book addresses the unsettling incidents surrounding the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the employment of violence against women to resolve political rivalries.
THE COMPLEXITY CALLED MANIPUR by Brig. Sushil Kumar Sharma
The Manipur government prohibited this book authored by the late Brigadier Sushil Kumar Sharma because it “contains misleading information that could incite communal discord within the state.” Released in 2019, the book drew from the author’s doctoral dissertation, which asserted that the princely state of Manipur included merely 700 square miles of valley territory when it merged with India, suggesting that the hilly regions, home to Naga, Kuki, and other tribes, were excluded. The prohibition imposed by the home department was referred to as a delicate and emotional topic for the local people of the state. The Manipur government prohibited the book, asserting that it included “seriously misleading and scandalous” material that might provoke communal discord.
THE SATANIC VERSES by Salman Rushdie
In 1988, author Salman Rushdie published his fourth novel, Satanic Verses, drawing inspiration from the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The title refers to a set of Quranic verses concerning three goddesses from Mecca and draws from the writings of historians al-Waqidi and al-Tabari. Although this book was a contender for the Booker Prize in 1988, it faced significant backlash and critique because of its contentious and religious themes. The Rajiv Gandhi government banned the book in the country, leading to outrage and turmoil within the nation. In 1989, a fatwa was issued against the writer, leading to several unsuccessful assassination attempts, including a recent effort on his life in August 2022.
THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS by Arundhati Roy
Even though it wasn’t banned, Arundhati Roy’s first novel faced significant criticism in India. A Kerala lawyer named Sabu Thomas considered the portrayal of sex between a Syrian Christian woman and a lower-class man at the book’s conclusion sufficient reason to bring obscenity charges against the author. Although it won the Booker Prize in 1997, the book faced bans in certain areas of India for supposedly offending religious sentiments. Arundhati Roy then waged a legal battle that resulted in the lifting of the ban.
SUCH A LONG JOURNEY by Rohinton Mistry
Released in 1991 and nominated for the Booker Prize, Rohinton Mistry’s Such a Long Journey explores the existence of a diligent bank employee in Bombay, set against the backdrop of the political upheaval in the nation under Indira Gandhi’s rule. Although this book was included in the academic curriculum for literature students in the nation, in 2010, it attracted the attention of politician Aditya Thackeray, who is the grandson of Bal Thackeray. He voiced his complaints and objections, stating that the book included offensive language regarding his grandfather and the Maharashtrian community. The outcome was a removal from the curriculum of Mumbai University. The writer subsequently conveyed his dissatisfaction regarding the withdrawal in a public letter. The book was prohibited in India due to inappropriate content and sexual implications that people felt necessary to control.
THE MOOR’S LAST SIGH by Salman Rushdie
Prohibited in 1995, the book by Salman Rushdie encountered backlash from the right-wing group Shiv Sena due to a character in the story resembling party leader Balasaheb Thackeray. Prime P. V. Narasimha Rao informally prohibited it. The author similarly named a dog in the book Jawaharlal, seemingly in honor of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. When the publishers were requested to halt the book’s sale, they went to the Supreme Court of India, which ruled the ban unconstitutional in February 1996. Nonetheless, booksellers remained hesitant to sell it in Maharashtra because of concerns over vandalism.
JINNAH by Jaswant Singh
Jaswant Singh’s book was prohibited for its objective portrayal of Jinnah and for expressing sympathy towards him. Singh condemned the approaches of Nehru and Sardar Patel, two esteemed political figures in the nation. The BJP-led Gujarat government prohibited it in August 2009 due to “derogatory” mentions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Nonetheless, the Gujarat High Court revoked the prohibition. In 2009, the BJP expelled Jaswant Singh, emphasizing that the party would not make compromises regarding ideological issues.
ISLAM: A CONCEPT OF POLITICAL WORLD INVASION by R.V. Bhasin
The SC reaffirmed the ban, stating that the author made derogatory remarks about the Muslim community, which constitutes an intensified type of critique that may offend the religious feelings of Muslims.
THE MYTH OF THE HOLY COW by Dwijendra Narayan Jha
The book reportedly mentioned that ancient Indians consumed beef. The writer received anonymous threatening calls and required police protection.
Now you understand how the material in these books ignited debates nationwide. Reading can help broaden your perspective and act as a gateway to a reality distinct from the one you currently inhabit. As the adage states, ‘The pen is stronger than the sword’, words possess a unique power, and they can be even more influential than the government. Reading books that have been prohibited for any reason is an even stronger method to quietly resist while also enhancing your own intelligence.