Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 8: The Maharashtra government has prohibited the publication, circulation, possession and storage of 114 literature items allegedly promoting extremism and radicalisation and linked to terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the primary concern was the alleged radicalisation of people through the material.

“The main concern was radicalisation. Through this material, there was an attempt to promote radicalisation. In some cases, it talked about how to make bombs and how to stage violence,” Fadnavis said.

The banned material includes magazines, articles, social media posts, audio files and video files.

The action followed a March 17 letter from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to the state government seeking forfeiture of certain newspapers, books, documents, paintings, drawings, photographs and other visible representations that were allegedly connected with activities affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India and state security.

Investigations by the ATS, intelligence inputs and cyber surveillance found that extremist literature and propaganda were allegedly being circulated and shared through both physical and digital platforms.

The state government subsequently issued a notification on August 6, stating that the material allegedly promoted violent extremism and jihad, spread extremist ideology and encouraged the radicalisation of youths, besides potentially facilitating recruitment into terrorist organisations.

According to the notification, the material was associated with terrorist organisations including the Islamic State (IS), Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), among others listed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The notification also covers websites, social media platforms, encrypted channels and digital networks allegedly used to disseminate such content.

Invoking Section 98(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Maharashtra government declared that all copies of the material listed in the notification’s annexure would stand forfeited to the government.

Speaking to mediapersons in Mumbai, Fadnavis said the state government would have to closely monitor such activities and that there could be no compromise on national security.

“In the absence of specific laws, we could not ban such publications. After the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 came into effect, the state government has provisions to take action,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s outreach to Gen Z following the protests at Jantar Mantar and his remarks that the younger generation was more honest than earlier generations, Fadnavis said Bhagwat’s statements should be viewed in a national context.

“When the RSS chief speaks, he addresses the nation. He does not express views of any political party or government. The views are in national interest,” Fadnavis said.