Bloomsbury India has confirmed that it is withdrawing publication of the book Delhi Riots 2020.

The decision comes a day after the publishing house faced widespread criticism over an event that was scheduled to take place today for the book's launch. The event invite, which Bloomsbury India told Newslaundry used its logo "without our knowledge", stated that the BJP's Kapil Mishra would be one of the guests of honour.

It should be noted that the violence in Delhi this year, which left over 50 dead, followed an incendiary speech by Mishra himself on February 23. The book Delhi Riots 2020 claims to be an "explosive revelation of the plot behind the riots".

In its statement, Bloomsbury India said the book's publication was being withdrawn "in view of very recent events including a virtual pre-publication launch organised without our knowledge by the authors, with participation by parties of whom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".

Here is their statement in full:

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

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