Archive · 11 Sep 2026
LeftWord Publishes Joe Sacco’s Muzaffarnagar Riot Graphic Novel
Joe Sacco made a graphic novel about the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.
Penguin Random House India was expected to publish it in India.
That plan ended after the publisher reportedly asked for changes and deletions.
LeftWord Books then decided to publish the book.
Its managing editor, Sudhanva Deshpande, said the new edition has only small updates and a corrected map.
He said LeftWord did not discuss changing the quotations mentioned in reports about Penguin’s requests.
Deshpande believes big publishers should support books that add to public debate.
He also said smaller publishers may face serious risks when they publish controversial books.
Penguin Random House India has said there was no outside pressure, according to the interview.
LeftWord Books has published Joe Sacco’s graphic novel The Once and Future Riot in India.
The book concerns the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and was previously expected from Penguin Random House India.
LeftWord’s Sudhanva Deshpande said the Indian edition contains only minor updates and a replacement map.
Sacco previously said Penguin Random House India sought changes to quotations, including remarks by a public figure.
Deshpande argued that repeated withdrawals by major publishers could weaken public debate and reduce ideological diversity.
- Who
- Joe Sacco, LeftWord Books managing editor Sudhanva Deshpande, and Penguin Random House India are central to the dispute.
- What
- LeftWord Books published Sacco’s The Once and Future Riot after Penguin Random House India reportedly sought editorial changes and later withdrew from the project.
- When
- The book addresses the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots; LeftWord’s Indian edition was discussed in the interview after its publication.
- Where
- India, including Muzaffarnagar.
- Why
- LeftWord said it wanted to publish the book without substantial changes and to support public debate and diversity of ideas.
LeftWord’s position
Penguin Random House India’s reported position
Editorial changes
LeftWord’s position
Sudhanva Deshpande said LeftWord made only minor updates and replaced the map, while retaining the book’s substance; he said he did not know what changes Penguin had requested.
Penguin Random House India’s reported position
Joe Sacco told The Indian Express that Penguin Random House India had required changes to quotations, including comments by a public figure, and reportedly sought deletions before withdrawing from the project.
External pressure
LeftWord’s position
Deshpande said the withdrawals suggested that senior decision-makers at Penguin might be acting out of fear or strong ideological views, while acknowledging he could not establish the reason.
Penguin Random House India’s reported position
Deshpande said he was inclined to believe Penguin Random House India’s own statement that there was no external pressure.
Role of major publishers
LeftWord’s position
Deshpande argued that publishers should support books of public interest, defend authors, and preserve a diversity of ideas; he said smaller publishers such as LeftWord would stand by Sacco and the book.
Penguin Random House India’s reported position
The article reports Penguin Random House India’s withdrawal from the project and Deshpande’s criticism, but does not provide a detailed response from the company explaining its decision.
- Book
- The Once and Future Riot
- Author
- Joe Sacco
- Subject
- The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots
- Indian publisher
- LeftWord Books
- Former expected publisher
- Penguin Random House India
- Edition changes
- Minor updates, including government-scheme details, and a replacement map described as correcting an inaccurate map of India
- Deshpande’s broader concern
- He said repeated withdrawals by major publishers could make criticism of governments appear dangerous and harm public debate.