Many people, who were disgusted at the @BloomsburyIndia move to publish the Delhi Riots book, are also equally disappointed at the publisher's withdrawal from publication. While I understand the free speech concerns, I feel it comes out of a superficial understanding of

... free speech & also a failure to see the power dynamics in the issue. Before elaborating on that, sharing a principle I firmly believe.

'Freedom doesn't mean freedom to monger hate based on distorted facts & one-sided narrative to push the oppressed to further margins'

It is not hard to imagine the contents of the book given the kind of people associated with it. The publication of it would have added insult to the injury of the minorities who are yet to receive any institutional justice or healing wrt riots.

Having followed the riots issues and the State responses to it quite regularly, I firmly believe that the book would've pushed a narrative of demonization of the minority, selling a fake feeling of majoritarian victimhood. The proponents of the book enjoy immense State patronage

and what they are going to sell is a narrative which suits the State and majoritarian sentiments. I'm saying these to show who enjoys the power position in the equation.

So it's not prudent to compare this to a situation where an oppressed/ marginalised group is voicing an opinion not aligned with majoritarian sentiments. Situation also not comparable to a case where someone is whistleblowing or bringing out facts inconvenient to establishment.

And there was no "ban" of the book.The publisher took a conscientious decision to withdraw after some social media outrage. Remember, there was no heckling, harassment, abusing, death/rape threats, FIRs, vandalisms etc. Some individuals expressed their outrage in a civil manner.

And I don't think @BloomsburyIndia felt threatened or harassed by these individual voices. This is not comparable to a situation like Padmavat or Perumal Murugan. The publisher made a review out of their "deep sense of responsibility".

Finally, on a personal & emotional level, for those section of people who feel repeatedly anguished at the outrageous levels of impunity enjoyed by hate mongers & riot perpetrators, these kind of small victories mean a lot, reaffirming faith in justice (in an informal manner)

P.S.
Sharing a quote from a tweet of @parthpunter

"You are entitled to your opinion. But you're not entitled to your own facts."
~ Daniel Patrick Moynihan

#bloomsbury