Bloomsbury India calls off book on 2020 Delhi riots after outcry over attendance of BJP leader in promo

The publisher known worldwide for releasing Harry Potter series of books said the event was organised without its knowledge and it has decided not to go ahead with the publishing of the book "purportedly giving a factual report on the riots in Delhi in February 2020", said an NDTV report.

"Bloomsbury India had planned to release Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story in September, a book purportedly giving a factual report on the riots in Delhi in February 2020, based on investigations and interviews conducted by the authors," the company said in a statement, according to the report.

"However, in view of very recent events including a virtual pre-publication launch organised without our knowledge by the authors, with participation by parties of whom the Publishers would not have approved, we have decided to withdraw publication of the book," it said.

"Bloomsbury India strongly supports freedom of speech but also has a deep sense of responsibility towards society," it added.

Besides Kapil Mishra, the online promotional event had guests like filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and the book was released by BJP lawmaker Bhupendra Yadav, the NDTV report stated.