Most Controversial Books That Were Banned in India

Literature has played a crucial role in shaping human civilization since its inception. It has reflected the society of the time and continues to shape its future. As a result, literature has always been surrounded by controversy. In ancient and medieval times, destroying a culture's literature was a key tactic to dominate and destroy the culture itself. Libraries were burned, leading to the loss of entire knowledge systems. While such large-scale destruction of literature is no longer commonplace in modern times, literature continues to be embroiled in various controversies, often for political, social, and ethical reasons.

India has a long tradition of literature, ranging from ancient Vedas to modern novels, and has been no stranger to such controversies. The government has banned numerous works of literature that have stirred controversy. In this article, we highlight 10 such controversial books that were banned in India.

1- The Myth of the Holy Cow, by D.N. Jha

The subject matter of this book by Dwijendra Nath Jha, a cultural historian and professor, stirred controversy when it was published in 2001. Jha's book draws on ancient Vedic, Buddhist, and medical texts to challenge the notion that consuming beef was considered taboo in ancient India. Hindus, who consider cows sacred, generally abstain from eating beef, and many states in the country prohibit cow slaughter. Jha argues that this practice is a relatively modern development, beginning only in the 19th century. These claims were considered offensive by some Hindus, resulting in the banning of the book by the Hyderabad Civil Court and even death threats against the author.

2- Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India, by Joseph Lelyveld

Joseph Lelyveld, a former executive editor of the New York Times, won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1986 for his book "Move Your Shadow; South Africa, Black and White," based on his reporting in South Africa. However, his book published in 2011, about Mahatma Gandhi, created significant controversy. Gandhi, who is considered the "Father of the Nation" in India, is highly regarded, and his portrait is still used in currency and government institutions.

Lelyveld's book delved into Gandhi's relationship with Hermann Kallenbach, a German-Jewish bodybuilder, which sparked outrage in India as homosexuality was a crime until September 2018. The implications of homosexuality in relation to the Father of the Nation created a furore. Even though Lelyveld clarified that "the book does not say that Gandhi was homosexual or bisexual. It says that he was celibate and deeply attached to Kallenbach," the Assembly of Gujarat, Gandhi's home state, unanimously banned the book in 2011.

3- The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy's debut novel, published in 1997, was a huge success, becoming a bestseller worldwide and winning the Man Booker Prize that year. The story takes place in the rural village of Ayemenem in the southern Indian state of Kerala and follows the relationship between fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, as well as the relationship of their mother, Ammu, with the lower-caste "Untouchable" Velutha. However, controversy arose over an incident in the latter plotline.

In June of 1997, lawyer Sabu Thomas filed a public interest petition alleging that the novel was obscene and likely to corrupt or deprave the minds of readers. He demanded the removal of the final chapter, which features a lyrical description of a sexual act between Ammu and Velutha. There were also controversies surrounding incest and pedophilia. Nevertheless, the book received critical acclaim, being named one of the best books of the year by TIME and included in BBC News' list of 100 Most Influential Novels of All Time. Although Roy did not release another novel until 2019, both the author and her works remain divisive.

4- The Polyester Prince: The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani, by Hamish McDonald

This biography, authored by an Australian writer and journalist, delves into the story of Dhirubhai Ambani, a business magnate, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to great success. It also sheds light on the controversies and accusations that surrounded him.

Even before its release, the book faced legal threats from the Ambani family, causing its publisher, Harper Collins India, to decide against publishing it in India.

5- Rangila Rasul, by Pandit Chamupati

This book is an early example of controversy arising from communal conflicts between Hindus and Muslims in India. It was first published anonymously in 1923 during a period of conflict between Muslims and the Hindu Arya Samaj in the north Indian state of Punjab. The book, titled "Rangila Rasul," describes the marriages and sex life of the Prophet Muhammad, which many Muslims found highly offensive. The title itself alludes to this content, with 'Rangila' meaning colorful and 'Rasul' meaning prophet. The publisher, Mahashay Rajpal, refused to reveal the name of the author, leading to his imprisonment and eventual assassination. The book remains banned not only in India but also in Pakistan and Bangladesh.