Penguin India withdraws from Sonia Gandhi memoir after disagreement over edits
Penguin Random House India (PRHI) has withdrawn from publishing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India following a disagreement with the author over proposed changes to the manuscript.
According to reports, the publisher had sought editorial changes and deletions in a section of the manuscript, which Sonia Gandhi did not agree to. The nature of the disputed material has not been disclosed.
With the disagreement unresolved, PRHI is no longer expected to publish the Indian edition of the memoir. Another Indian publisher is reportedly in advanced discussions to take over the book’s release, although no formal announcement has been made.
The development is not expected to affect the memoir’s international publication. Belonging is scheduled for global release on November 10, with an initial print run of 100,000 copies already announced.
The book is described as a personal account of Sonia Gandhi’s life, family and nearly six decades in Indian public life. It is expected to cover the social and political changes she witnessed during her years in the country.
The development is the second publishing controversy involving a political memoir linked to Penguin India this year.
Earlier in 2026, the publisher said it had not printed former Army chief General M M Naravane’s memoir after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displayed a copy of the book in Parliament. Excerpts from the memoir, including sections concerning the Galwan clashes and the Agnipath scheme, had earlier appeared in media reports.
