A controversy has erupted over Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India, after Penguin Random House India (PRHI) said it would not publish the book in India.

The book was scheduled to be released on November 10 and reportedly covers Sonia Gandhi’s political journey, along with details surrounding her decision not to accept the post of Prime Minister after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

Reports suggested that the publisher decided against releasing the book after the author refused to make certain editorial changes. However, Penguin Random House India has denied that this was the reason for its decision.

In a clarification, the publisher said it would be inaccurate to claim that the book was rejected because the author refused to make editorial changes. It stated that as a publisher, it has both the right and responsibility to fact-check the contents of a book and make suggestions to the author as part of the normal publishing process.

The development has drawn criticism from several Congress leaders. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi have opposed the publisher’s decision.

Gehlot alleged that pressure had been put on the publisher to remove references concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the issue of Chinese occupation. He also questioned whether there were other reasons behind Penguin India’s decision.

The controversy has now sparked a wider debate over editorial freedom, the role of publishers in fact-checking and editing political memoirs, and whether sensitive political references influenced the decision not to publish the autobiography in India.

The book’s future publication plans and whether it will be released through another publisher remain a matter of interest.

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