JNU cancels discussion on Umar Khalid’s book a day before scheduled event

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has cancelled a public discussion on Umar Khalid’s latest book, Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power, a day before the event was scheduled to take place.

The discussion, organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), was scheduled for August 10 from 3 pm to 6 pm as part of an event marking Tribal Day. The university cited incomplete disclosure of details about the proposed programme as the reason for cancelling the auditorium booking.

‘Incomplete details’

In a cancellation notice, the university said the organisers had not provided complete information about the event in the venue request form submitted for the auditorium. The communication was issued by the Joint Registrar and approved by the Dean of the School of Social Sciences (SSS).

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The cancellation notice also referred to JNU's “democratic and decentralised” administrative processes, while reiterating that event organisers are required to provide necessary information when seeking permission to use university facilities.

DU cites established procedures

The administration said the decision was in line with established procedures governing the use of university spaces. It also stressed the need for transparency in the booking and use of auditoriums and other facilities on campus.

The SSS-1 auditorium had initially been booked by Dr Avinash Kumar of the Centre for International Legal Studies (CISLS), according to the university's letter.

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The proposed discussion was to feature several academics, writers and social activists, including Professor Prabhu Mohapatra, Professor Uma Chakravarti, Shuddhabrata Sengupta, Harsh Mander and Bano Jyotsna Lahiri.

Earlier controversy

The cancellation comes amid interest in Khalid's recently published book, Fractured Communities, which was released by Juggernaut Books in June 2026. The book draws on his doctoral research at JNU and examines the history of Adivasi communities in Singhbhum during British colonial rule.

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The university has previously been associated with Khalid's academic work. JNU had initially declined to accept the submission of his doctoral dissertation, which later formed the basis of the book.

Khalid is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He has remained an undertrial for nearly six years, with his case yet to proceed to trial.