Congress leaders have accused Penguin Random House India of giving in to pressure from the Union government after the publisher decided not to release former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, in India.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the publisher had sought changes to parts of the memoir dealing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the alleged “occupation of Indian territory by China”.
Gehlot questioned why Penguin Random House India wanted changes to the manuscript for its Indian edition when Penguin Worldwide was reportedly prepared to publish the book in its original form internationally.
He described the alleged suppression of Gandhi’s memoir as an attack on freedom of expression and democracy.
Penguin India Denies Pressure Allegation
The controversy began after The Indian Express reported that Penguin Random House India had decided not to publish the memoir after Gandhi rejected certain “editorial changes and deletions” proposed by the publisher.
Penguin India rejected the suggestion that it dropped the book because the author refused to accept editorial changes.
“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 the book,” the company said.
The publisher added that it had remained “willing and keen to publish the book” throughout its discussions with Gandhi.
However, Penguin India declined to comment on what it described as “confidential discussions” with the Congress leader.
Gaurav Gogoi Calls Penguin Statement ‘Weak’
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also criticised Penguin India’s response, describing its statement as “weak”.
Gogoi questioned the publisher’s position, pointing out that it had published Exam Warriors, a book written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as several books about the RSS.
“No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being read by the people of India,” Gogoi wrote on X.
Exam Warriors was written by Modi for students and focuses on dealing with examination-related stress.
Dispute Over Sonia Gandhi Book Continues
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, has become the centre of a political controversy following the dispute over its proposed Indian publication.
While Congress leaders have alleged political pressure behind Penguin India’s decision, the publisher has denied the allegation and maintained that it was acting within its editorial responsibilities.
The publisher has not disclosed details of its discussions with Gandhi, citing confidentiality. The allegations and claims from both sides remain part of the ongoing public dispute.
