IISER Pune has withdrawn a book based on Umar Khalid’s doctoral thesis from its library after its addition triggered criticism online, with the institute’s Board of Governors in-charge chairman describing the episode as “mischief” and saying action had been initiated against those responsible.
The book, Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, was published by Juggernaut and is based on Khalid’s 2018 doctoral dissertation at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Centre for Historical Studies. The work examines the history of Adivasi communities in the Singhbhum region of present-day Jharkhand during colonial rule and later periods.
A social media post highlighting the book’s addition to the library of the central government-funded science institution went viral on Saturday. Critics questioned why a premier science research institute should stock work by an individual facing serious national security-related charges. Khalid has been in judicial custody since September 2020 in connection with the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and related charges. He has not been convicted.
Madabhushi Madan Gopal, in-charge chairman of the IISER Pune Board of Governors, said on X that the book had been retracted the previous night and that action had been initiated against those who had carried out what he called “this mischief”. He also said Director Prof. Sunil Bhagwat had taken immediate steps and assured that “such things will not happen again in IISER Pune”.
In a follow-up post, Gopal clarified that the Board of Governors oversees meetings of the Finance Committee and the Board, while day-to-day administration and academic matters are managed by the Director. He said the institution was “aware and alert” and that “suitable remedial measures” should be taken. The source report said Bhagwat had taken immediate corrective steps.
The episode has placed the library’s acquisition process and the responsibilities of committees and administrators under public scrutiny. Some alumni and commentators called for an inquiry into the library committee and faculty involved in the recommendation. Others noted that the book has not been banned and remains commercially available.
The work itself focuses on archival research into colonial governance, community structures and state-Adivasi relations rather than contemporary politics. Historian Ramachandra Guha has previously praised Khalid’s thesis, describing it as one of the most accomplished doctoral dissertations by an Indian scholar he had read.
IISER Pune’s official social media handles had not issued a detailed statement on the episode at the time of the report. The chairman’s posts indicated that remedial action was under consideration, but the institute had not publicly detailed the acquisition process, the reason for the withdrawal or the nature of the action initiated.
