(Anjali Shreya, Intern Journalist): Charges and counter-attacks have been going on in the intellectual world over the decision of publisher Bloomsbury to stop the publication of ‘Delhi Riots 2020 – The Untold Story’, written on the Delhi riots. The book has been written by Supreme Court lawyers Monica Arora, Sonali Chitalkar, and Prerna Malhotra and was to be published by Bloomsbury Publications. On Saturday afternoon, when Bloomsbury announced that it would stop publishing, talk began on social media in favor and opposition about this decision.
As soon as it was reported that Bloomsbury had decided to stop publishing the book, the author Aatish Taseer tweeted and thanked William Dalrymple. Aatish wrote that he is grateful to William Dalrymple that he attempted to stop this shameful state propaganda, which would not have been possible without his support. After this tweet by Aatish Taseer, it was revealed that the author and director of Jaipur Literature Festival William Dalrymple had a role in stopping this book. It is worth noting that the publisher of William Dalrymple’s books is Bloomsbury.
After the name of William Dalrymple, there was a demand on social media to cancel William Dalrymple’s visa. Let me tell you that William Dalrymple is a British citizen and has been living in India for a long time. Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson Vijay Shankar Tiwari tweeted, ‘Bloomsbury India will no longer print the book of Delhi riots, as William Dalrymple, a Pakistani and a Firangi living in Delhi’s form house, is not wanted. The Indian government should cancel the visa of this foreigner. Many such tweets are coming on social media.