India: in the face of criticism, a publisher gives up publishing a book on the riots in February

15 Hindus and 30 Muslims died during intercommunal violence that took place in February 2020 in New Delhi. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP

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In India, the publisher Bloomsbury backed down on the publication of a very controversial book and gave up, Saturday, August 22, to publish it. It aimed to hold the opposition and Muslims responsible for the violent riots that took place in February in New Delhi. Perceived as a pro-government propaganda book, the book provoked an outcry.

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From our correspondent in Bangalore,   Côme Bastin

To be released from publisher Bloomsbury, the Delhi riots 2020 book promised the truth about the riots that rocked Delhi in February, during which 15 Hindus and 30 Muslims were killed and Muslim neighborhoods were burnt down.

Written by a group of intellectuals close to the ruling Hindu BJP party, its content was not in doubt. In line with the government, the book intended to show that these clashes had been planned by an alliance between supporters of the left and the Islamic State, opposed to the Hindus.

A work of pure propaganda?

Among the guests at the book launch, Kapil Mishra. In February, this BJP leader called for "  shooting at traitors to the nation  ". He was not worried while many participants in the protests are still detained.

A wave of protests therefore arose. Internet users, actors, journalists denounced a work of pure propaganda. Several authors who have published a book with Bloomsbury have expressed their disappointment.

Faced with the risks to its image and invoking a "  social responsibility  ", the publisher finally announced this Saturday to abandon the publication. Authors, media and Internet users close to the BJP have called for censorship.

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