Umar Khalid's book removed from IISER Pune library after objections on social media

Umar Khalid, activist and former JNU student, is in the news once again. His book "Fractured Communities", based on his PhD research, was found in a Central government library in Pune, and a controversy followed. After the matter surfaced on social media, the book was removed from the library of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).

Objections were raised on social media, after which questions were asked about Khalid's book being in the IISER Pune library. It was then reported that the book had been taken out of the collection. The decision was taken after a formal review and administrative directions. Social media also mentions some other books by Khalid, but there is no confirmation that he wrote them. His name is also linked to certain religious books, but according to knowledgeable people this is merely a misunderstanding.

What the book actually is also needs to be looked at. Khalid submitted his PhD thesis at JNU in 2015 on the history of the tribal communities of the Singhbhum region of Jharkhand. It was deposited at JNU's Centre for Historical Studies in July 2018 and drew the attention of many even then. He received his PhD degree in 2019 after submitting the thesis. The same thesis has now been published for the first time as a book titled "Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power".

The main subject of the book is the history of the tribal community of the Singhbhum region during British rule, and its social and political structure. It sets out the administrative system of that period and the power relations that shaped tribal society. It also places this in the larger historical and political context of the region.

Meanwhile, another controversy linked to Khalid has emerged. On Saturday, slogans reading "Free Umar Khalid" were found written on walls on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. The university administration investigated the matter. The JNU administration says such acts, which disturb the peace of the university, will never be accepted. Earlier, slogans such as "Free Kashmir" had also sparked a row during the dispute at Jamia.

Umar Khalid is a former research scholar of JNU. He has been in jail since 2020 on charges of being part of a larger conspiracy in the Delhi riots. He has been charged under the UAPA. About 53 people died in the Delhi riots in the conspiracy case for which he is in jail.