Overview
- The institute withdrew Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power from the Srinivasa Ramanujan Library after a photograph of the book’s display circulated on social media and triggered objections.
- IISER Pune said the book was retracted as a precaution to avoid misunderstanding or unrest and that its regular acquisitions come from committee recommendations and member requests.
- Madabhushi Madan Gopal, acting chair of the institute’s Board of Governors, confirmed the removal on social media, called the episode mischief and said disciplinary action has been started against those responsible for the display.
- Critics including historian Ramachandra Guha, who wrote the book’s foreword, said the withdrawal concedes to online pressure and undermines academic freedom, while the institute has not published a detailed account of how the title was selected or removed.
- The episode spotlights broader tensions over how public research libraries handle politically sensitive scholarship and could prompt scrutiny of acquisition rules and transparency at government-funded institutions.