Penguin India Decides Not Publish Sonia Gandhi's Memoir After She Declined Proposed Changes
Penguin Random House India (PRHI) withdrew from publishing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s forthcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
The decision was allegedly following a disagreement with the author over proposed editorial changes to the book. The world’s largest trade book publisher, the Penguin Random House said Sonia Gandhi rejected the proposed alterations and declined to make any modifications which was recommended by the publisher.
In a statement, Indian arm of the global publishing house said it is not proceeding with the project, drawing flak from the netizens. Penguin India stated that as a publisher, it is their prerogative and responsibility to factcheck and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interest of their books.
Penguin Random House India official statement. pic.twitter.com/2g8y3F1p7m
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) August 28, 2026
Several wondered even Penguin Random House fears the ruling government in India. “Even a memoir by an opposition leader in her 80s has to pass through the censor’s scissors before reaching the public or is otherwise unofficially buried.” an X user wrote.
So @PenguinIndia won’t publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir ‘Belonging: a Journey of Love’.
Why? They asked her to change & delete some sections from the manuscript. She refused.
Time when even a memoir by a Sr. opp. leader’s near her 80s has to pass through the censor’s scissors… pic.twitter.com/OpJJwHmugM
— RAHUL (@RahulSeeker) August 28, 2026
Notably, the publishing house demanded cuts to references in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s ideological fount, and Chinese intrusions, The Hindustan Times reported citing unknown sources. The 79-year-old Congress Rajya Sabha MP asserted that it is her story and there was no question of allowing any distortions to her telling of her life.
