IISER Pune removes Umar Khalid’s book from library to ‘avoid misunderstanding or unrest’

A book by activist Umar Khalid has been removed from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune library to “avoid any misunderstanding or unrest”, The Indian Express quoted the administration as saying on Sunday.

Khalid has been in prison for more than six years without trial in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The book, Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, was published earlier this year. It is based on Khalid’s PhD thesis at Jawaharlal Nehru University and examines the history of Adivasi societies in Singhbhum region of Jharkhand under British rule.

The book was removed after a social media account called Gems of Indian Academia shared a photograph showing it as a new addition to the institute’s library, The Indian Express reported.

Madabhushi Madan Gopal, chairperson of the institute’s board of governors, said on social media that he was “shocked” to learn that the book had been added to the library.

“This is retracted last night and action is initiated on those who played this mischief, I assure such things will not happen again in IISER Pune,” he said.

As incharge Chairman,BoG,IISER Pune,I am shocked to know this, this is retracted last night&action is initiated on those who played this mischief,I assure such things will not happen again in IISER Pune,Prof.Sunil...

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