An Indian government-funded research institute has removed a book by jailed activist Umar Khalid from its library, citing concerns over possible “misunderstanding or unrest”, according to The Indian Express and Maktoob.
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, removed Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, which examines the history of tribal communities under British rule.
In a statement issued on Monday, the institute said the decision was taken as a precaution after the matter was brought to the attention of its authorities.
The book, published earlier this year, is based on Khalid’s doctoral thesis at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and explores the history of Adivasi communities in Singhbhum, a region in present-day Jharkhand.
The decision drew criticism from IISER students, who questioned why an academic work had been removed because of its author.
The removal followed a post by the X account Gems of Indian Academia, which shared a photograph of the book listed as a recent addition to the institute’s library.
Madabhushi Madan Gopal, chairperson of IISER Pune’s Board of Governors, said in a post on X on Sunday that he was “shocked” to learn that the book had been added to the library. He said it had since been withdrawn and action had been initiated against those responsible.
He also said IISER Pune Director Sunil Bhagwat had taken immediate steps and assured him that “such things will not happen again”.
The institute said its library acquires books based on recommendations from its members and a dedicated committee, adding that around 50 books are added each month.
Khalid, an activist known for his opposition to India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), has been in jail for more than six years without trial in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.
Human rights organisations have criticised his prolonged incarceration without trial, while critics of the Indian government have described him as a political prisoner.
The removal of his book has renewed questions over academic freedom and access to scholarly works in India, particularly when their authors are involved in politically sensitive cases.