New Delhi: After Penguin Random House India Friday said that it is “not the publisher” of Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, in India, Congress has alleged that the Narendra Modi government is “pressuring publishers”.
Senior party leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has claimed that Penguin India was pressured to remove the portions related to Prime Minister Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the “occupation of Indian territory by China during Modi’s rule”.
“Penguin Worldwide is ready to publish Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji’s upcoming book worldwide in its original form, but Penguin Random House India wants changes made to launch it in India. After all, what is the reason or what pressure is there that what is being published across the world cannot be published in India?” he wrote in a post on X.
“This is the murder of democracy,” he remarked. “Why is this truth being hidden from the people of India? Will the Modi government alter even the facts by pressuring publishers?”
He added: “Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji’s life is an example of sacrifice and dedication. The integrity and dignity with which she has served the country is exemplary. Suppressing the book of Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, a person of such stature, a senior leader of the nation, and former Leader of the Opposition, under pressure is tantamount to the murder of freedom of expression.”
Penguin Worldwide is ready to publish Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji's upcoming book worldwide in its original form, but Penguin Random House India wants changes made to launch it in India. After all, what is the reason or what pressure is there that what is being published across the…
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 28, 2026
Penguin India’s clarification Friday came in response to news reports that the publisher backed out after Gandhi refused “editorial” changes.
A statement by the publishing house read: “Any suggestion that Penguin Random House India decided not to publish ‘Belonging‘ because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances. 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.”
The publisher further called it a “normal part of the publishing process”. It added, “Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India’s position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book. We will not comment further on confidential discussions with the author.”
When ThePrint contacted a spokesperson at Penguin Random House India for comment, they referred to the publishing house’s official statement, adding: “We will not comment further on confidential discussions with the author.”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called it a “weak statement”. He wrote in a post on X, “Penguin India is more than happy to publish ‘Exam Warriors’ and several books on 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.”
Exam Warriors, authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was published by Penguin Random House India in 2018 under its Ebury Press Imprint.
Such a weak statement.
Penguin India is more than happy to publish “Exam Warriors” and several books on RSS.
No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being being read by the people of India. https://t.co/JvmXD8FZV6
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) August 28, 2026
The Jharkhand Congress Seva Dal also posted on its X account an image depicting Penguin’s logo caged and locked in chains, with the text “under govt pressure” on the lock.
Ye Penguin 'BIK' gaya hai… pic.twitter.com/eR1r6I0aX7
— Jharkhand Congress Sevadal (@SevadalJHK) August 28, 2026
A post by Kerala Congress earlier read: “Peacock blocking penguin is just an old man’s fantasy. Nothing can stop ‘Belonging‘ from reaching you.”
Peacock blocking penguin is just an old man's fantasy. Nothing can stop 'Belonging' from reaching you. pic.twitter.com/zo4b8HPvO9
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) August 28, 2026
Meanwhile, India Youth Congress made a sarcastic comment: “Introducing Penguin Janta Party”.
Introducing 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 🐧 pic.twitter.com/KJV8FWtCwS
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) August 28, 2026
Gandhi’s 544-page memoir was set to be released in hardcover on 10 November, publisher Alfred A. Knopf—an imprint under Penguin Random House—had announced earlier this month. “This dramatic account, epic yet intimate, gives readers a unique lens on India—its tumultuous post-Independence history and its present political struggles, offering an insider’s keen perspective on the country’s enormous economic and social changes over sixty years,” the book description read.
The book offers a deeply personal account of Gandhi’s life, relationships and experiences, including her journey alongside husband Rajiv Gandhi and her years in public life.
Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP Sah Prabhari Amit Malviya remarked that it is “rather amusing that Penguin Random House India felt the need to fact-check Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, a book authored by Sonia Gandhi herself”.
He wrote in a post on X: “The publisher says fact-checking is a normal part of the publishing process and that it remained ‘willing and keen’ to publish the book. Fair enough. But if a publisher has to fact-check a memoir written by its own author, perhaps the obvious question is: what exactly needed fact-checking – the author’s memories, or the blurred line between fact and fiction?”
This report has been updated to reflect a Penguin Random House India spokesperson’s response to ThePrint’s request for comment.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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