In a significant decision, Penguin Random House India has announced that it will not be distributing journalist Joe Sacco’s latest nonfiction work, The Once and Future Riot, which focuses on the devastating Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013. According to a report from The Indian Express, the publishing house’s CEO, Gaurav Shrinagesh, confirmed that the book was flagged during an internal review process due to various concerns.
The book, published in October 2025, explores the aftermath of the communal violence that erupted in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2013, leaving a grim toll on the local population. The riots were fueled by inflammatory speeches from prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Suresh Rana, Sangeet Som, and Bharatendra Singh, which led to the deaths of at least 60 individuals and the displacement of thousands of Muslim families. The violence also resulted in numerous reported instances of sexual assault and other abuses, marking a dark chapter in the region’s history.
Sacco’s in-depth reporting was anticipated to offer a fresh perspective on these events, drawing from his visit to the area a year later. However, Shrinagesh revealed that the decision to halt distribution was prompted by a pre-publication legal review that raised several red flags. Among the issues cited were inaccuracies in a map included in the book, which allegedly depicted incorrect boundaries of India, along with content-related questions that Sacco’s team failed to address adequately.
Shri Shrinagesh emphasized the importance of integrity and accuracy in publishing, stating, “We are very clear about this: if we know there are issues, we cannot proceed with distribution.” He noted that while they had raised their concerns well in advance, Penguin UK had not responded to their inquiries, which ultimately led to the decision to withdraw.
The decision to not distribute Sacco’s book highlights the ongoing complexities surrounding the depiction of sensitive historical events in India, particularly those related to communal violence. Critics argue that such withdrawals could inhibit critical discourse and understanding of past atrocities. With communal tensions remaining a sensitive topic in Indian society, works like Sacco’s are often scrutinized under the lens of political correctness and potential backlash.
As the Indian publishing landscape continues to evolve, the case of The Once and Future Riot underscores the challenges faced by authors and publishers in addressing contentious issues. While the book will not see distribution in India for now, it raises broader questions about freedom of expression, the role of the media in documenting history, and the responsibilities of publishers in navigating complex political environments.
