Overview
- Multiple news reports say Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, a book based on Umar Khalid’s 2018–19 PhD research, was removed from IISER Pune’s Srinivasa Ramanujan Library after objections surfaced on social media.
- The book studies Adivasi history in Singhbhum and explores British-era administration and intra-community power relations, and it had been displayed among the library’s new arrivals before the backlash.
- Reporting differs on the institute’s response: one outlet quotes IISER Pune officials saying the book was retracted as a precaution to avoid unrest, while other reports say the institute had not issued an immediate public explanation.
- It is unclear whether the removal followed a formal review, who authorised the action, or what library selection rules were applied, which has prompted debate about institutional transparency and academic freedom.
- Observers say the episode adds to ongoing campus tensions connected to Umar Khalid and could prompt calls for clearer library curation policies and an official statement from IISER Pune, which would clarify next steps for access and review.