Penguin Random House India backs out of publishing Sonia Gandhi’s memoir: report

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This book cover image released by Alfred A. Knopf shows ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ by Sonia Gandhi. | Photo Credit: AP

Penguin Random House India has reportedly backed out of publishing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, after disagreements over editorial changes.

Ms. Gandhi turned down “editorial changes and deletions” suggested by the publishing house in “a part of the manuscript”, The Indian Express reported on Friday (August 28, 2026).

On August 18, the New York City-based Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House, had announced that Ms. Gandhi’s memoir will be published on November 10. In it, she will reflect on the promise and the tragedy of marrying into the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty and on her own career in government. Knopf had also said that the first print run for the title would be 1,00,000 copies.

Now, several other publishers in India are in the race to publish and distribute the book.

Earlier this year, in June, Penguin Random House India had pulled the plug on graphic novelist Joe Sacco’s book titled ‘The Once and Future Riot’, about the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. In interviews, the publisher cited concerns over a map of India and unresolved citation issues. Communal violence had erupted in Muzaffarnagar in September 2013 after some BJP leaders were accused of making inflammatory speeches. The riots left at least 60 people dead and displaced tens of thousands of Muslim families. Sacco had visited Muzaffarnagar a year later for interviews and reportage.

In February, Penguin Random House India found itself in the midst of another controversy regarding former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir, ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, which allegedly revealed sensitive details about the 2020 India-China military standoff in Ladakh. It had issued a statement that it had “not printed” the book, but Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waved a copy of the book in Parliament.

India / books and literature / Indian National Congress / books and publishing

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