A fresh controversy has emerged over the India publication of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, with the Congress questioning why the book can be released internationally if there are concerns over its content in India.
The political reaction followed reports that Penguin Random House India (PRHI) was not set to publish the memoir in the country. A report by The Indian Express had claimed that the disagreement was linked to “editorial changes and deletions” proposed by the publisher, which Sonia Gandhi reportedly did not accept.
The Congress has now questioned the rationale behind the reported concerns.
Congress Questions Penguin’s ‘Fact-Checking’ Explanation
A Congress spokesperson took aim at the publisher’s reported position and questioned why similar concerns did not prevent the book from being released globally.
“If Penguin Books worldwide can publish, then Penguin’s claim of ‘factchecking’ is ridiculous,” the spokesperson said.
The remark came in response to Penguin Random House India’s explanation that checking facts and providing editorial recommendations are normal responsibilities of a publisher.
Penguin India Rejects Report of Withdrawing From Book
Penguin Random House India, however, disputed the report that it had decided against publishing Sonia Gandhi’s memoir.
A company spokesperson said, “Penguin Random House India is not the publisher of Belonging in India. Any suggestion that Penguin Random House India decided not to publish Belonging because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances.”
The publishing house also rejected the suggestion that it had walked away from the memoir because Sonia Gandhi refused proposed changes.
The spokesperson explained: “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 company further said it had remained interested in publishing the memoir, stating: “Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India’s position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book.”
Penguin Cites Confidential Discussions
While responding to the reports, Penguin Random House India said it would not disclose details of its discussions with the author.
The spokesperson added that the company would “not comment further on confidential discussions with the author”.
This has left the precise reason behind the change in the book’s Indian publishing arrangements unclear, with the Congress and the publishing house offering different perspectives on what happened during the discussions.
What Is Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ About?
Belonging: A Journey of Love is Sonia Gandhi’s much-anticipated memoir and is expected to cover major chapters of her personal life and journey, including her childhood in post-war Italy, her move to India and her marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The book has attracted considerable interest because of Sonia Gandhi’s long political career and her close association with some of the most significant events in India’s recent political history.
With the Congress now publicly questioning the publisher’s position and Penguin India insisting that it remained willing to publish the memoir, the controversy over Belonging is likely to continue until the details of its Indian publishing arrangement become clearer.
