Umar Khalid's book pulled from IISER Pune library over unrest concerns

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune has removed a book written by jailed activist Umar Khalid from its library after a social media post objected to its inclusion among new additions, news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.The autonomous institute under the Union Education Ministry said on Monday that it withdrew the book, Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, as a precaution to avoid “any misunderstanding or unrest”.The book is based on Khalid's PhD research. It examines two centuries of state formation, colonial rule and power relations between tribal communities and the state in the Singhbhum region of present-day Jharkhand, with a primary focus on the Ho community.In a statement, IISER said its collection is built through recommendations from members of the institute and a committee that oversees the library's functioning. FURTHER ACTION UNDER REVIEW“On average, over 50 books from various areas are routinely added every month to the library. Regarding the book in question (written by Khalid), as soon as the matter was brought to the attention of institute authorities, it was decided to retract the book as a precaution in order to avoid any misunderstanding or unrest. The institute will examine what further action or steps can be taken,” the statement said, according to PTI.The action followed a post on X that said, “Umar Khalid's thesis is added as a book at IISER, Pune. This is a central government institution for science research.” Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, was arrested in September 2020 and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly being one of the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots in Delhi, in which 53 people were killed and more than 700 were injured.IISER Pune has said the book was removed as a precaution after the social media objection and that it will consider whether further action is required.- Ends