1/n) So apparently the withdrawal of the Delhi riots book (the only correct course of action, IMO) will only give ammo to right-wing demands for withdrawals of books.

Let me tell you - they don't even need that ammo, because Indian publishers are already self-censoring ...

2/n ... to a considerable degree.

For example, the editors of one vol I had a chapter in had to change publishers because the Delhi-based publishing house they had signed up with refused to publish a chapter with the term "Hindu rate of growth" in it ...

Let me add here ...

3/n) ... that this term is a staple of Indian political economy debates, coined by Raj Krishna back in the day to refer to sluggish economic growth in India.

The publisher, though, was concerned that it would upset the Modi regime and its footsoldiers.

And then there ...

4/n) ... all the times that I've had formulations in my pieces on Modi "euphemized" by publishers - again, in order to not upset the powers that be.

So no, I don't accept the argument that this is handing anything to the right-wing. This is much-needed pushback against hate!