Did Penguin India Withdraw From Publishing Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir ‘Belonging’? What the Publisher Said

Penguin Random House India has issued an official statement disputing reports that it withdrew from publishing Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," after she declined editorial changes sought by the publisher. In a post on X, Penguin Random House India clarified that it "is not the publisher of 'Belonging' in India" and said that any suggestion it decided not to publish the book because the author declined editorial changes "does not accurately reflect the circumstances."

Penguin India's Full Statement

"As a publisher, it is both our prerogative and our responsibility to fact check and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interests of their books. This is a normal part of the publishing process," the statement read. It added, "Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India's position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book." The publisher said it would "not comment further on confidential discussions with the author."

Penguin Random House India Issues Statement On Sonia Gandhi's Memoir 'Belonging', Denies Being Publisher In India

Penguin Random House India official statement. pic.twitter.com/2g8y3F1p7m

— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) August 28, 2026

What Was Reported Earlier

The Indian Express had earlier reported that Penguin India pulled out of publishing the memoir in India following a disagreement over "editorial changes and deletions" sought by the publisher in a section of the manuscript, which Sonia Gandhi reportedly refused to accept. The memoir remains scheduled for an international release on November 10 through Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, which had announced an initial print run of one lakh copies. Several publishing houses have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the Indian rights, with HarperCollins said to be close to finalising an agreement to publish and distribute the memoir in the country. ‘Four Stars of Destiny’: Delhi Police Serves Notice to Penguin India as Controversy Over MM Naravane’s Unpublished Memoir Escalates.

A Deeply Personal Account

"Belonging: A Journey of Love" will trace Sonia Gandhi's life from her childhood in post-war Italy to her arrival in India and marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The memoir is expected to recount the deaths of Sanjay Gandhi, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and cover Sonia Gandhi's entry into public life and her years at the centre of one of India's most influential political families. It is also likely to address her decision not to become Prime Minister after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won power in the 2004 Lok Sabha election. 'Four Stars of Destiny': Penguin India Issues Clarification After Political Row, Says MM Naravane’s Memoir Not Published; Warns of Legal Action Over Fake Copies.

"Much has been written about my family, but few narratives were able to reach into the truth of their motivations, their actions and even their human failings...My story also offers readers a unique perspective of the social and political changes I have witnessed for six decades," Sonia Gandhi said in the publisher's announcement. She also acknowledged that writing the memoir required her to step beyond the privacy she had protected for decades.

Rahul Praises Sonia

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently spoke about the memoir while paying tribute to his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his 82nd birth anniversary. "Since the day Papa left, I have watched you face everything life threw at you with never-ending courage and dignity. Only Priyanka and I really know what you have been through, and how difficult your life after Papa truly was," he wrote on X. "I know how hard it was for someone as private as you to tell the world your beautiful story," Rahul Gandhi added.

Earlier Publishing Dispute

Penguin India had faced another controversy earlier this year over former Army chief General M M Naravane's memoir, "Four Stars of Destiny." The publisher said it had "not printed" the book after Rahul Gandhi displayed a copy in Parliament. Media reports had previously published excerpts related to the Galwan clashes and the Agnipath military recruitment scheme.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 10:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).