Did Penguin India Drop Sonia Gandhi’s Book 'Belonging' Because She Rejected Changes? Publisher Issues Clarification
Penguin Random House India (PRHI) has issued a statement clarifying its position regarding the publication of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. The statement follows reports alleging that the publishing house pulled out of the Indian release after Gandhi rejected requested "editorial changes and deletions" in parts of her manuscript.
Penguin Random House India (PRHI) has issued a statement clarifying its position regarding the publication of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. The statement follows reports alleging that the publishing house pulled out of the Indian release after Gandhi rejected requested "editorial changes and deletions" in parts of her manuscript. Refuting suggestions that it abandoned the project, PRHI asserted that it remained willing to publish the book and maintained that editorial revisions and fact-checking are standard industry practice. Why Did Penguin India Pull Out of Publishing Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir ‘Belonging’?.
The controversy comes ahead of the memoir's global release on November 10 by US imprint Alfred A. Knopf, which features an initial print run of 100,000 copies. Belonging is described as Gandhi’s most personal and definitive account, tracing her passage from post-war Italy to her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family, the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, her eventual entry into politics, and her decision to decline the prime ministership in 2004. ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’: Sonia Gandhi Memoir To Release on November 10; Reflects on Love, Loss and Politics.
Penguin India Denies Dropping Sonia Gandhi Book Over Edits
The dispute has sparked broader debates in literary and political circles, marking the second major controversy involving a high-profile political memoir for PRHI this year. Earlier, the publisher refrained from releasing former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane's memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, which contained references to the Galwan Valley clashes and the Agnipath scheme, leading to intense political debates. While PRHI cited non-disclosure policies regarding its discussions with Gandhi, reports indicate rival publisher HarperCollins India is currently in negotiations to acquire the Indian distribution rights.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 03:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).