Penguin Random House India has responded to reports surrounding Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, clarifying that it is not the publisher of the book in India and rejecting reports that it backed out because Gandhi refused to accept "editorial" changes.
In a statement posted on X, Penguin Random House India said it is "not the publisher" of Belonging in India and that reports suggesting it decided not to publish the memoir because the author declined editorial changes "do not accurately reflect the circumstances."
The clarification comes amid reports that Penguin Random House India had opted out of publishing the memoir after Gandhi allegedly refused proposed editorial changes. The publisher, however, said that such reports do not reflect what happened.
Penguin also explained that fact-checking and making recommendations to authors are a normal part of the publishing process.
"As publisher, it is our prerogative as well as our responsibility to fact-check and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interests of their books," the company said, describing the process as a normal part of publishing.
The publisher added that it would not comment further on its "confidential discussions with the author."
Penguin Random House India official statement. pic.twitter.com/2g8y3F1p7m
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) August 28, 2026
Gaurav Gogoi hits back at Penguin
The clarification has also triggered a political response from the Congress.
Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi criticised Penguin's statement, calling it a "weak statement". He questioned the publisher's approach, pointing out that Penguin India has published Exam Warriors, a book authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as several books on the RSS.
Exam Warriors, published in 2018, is aimed at helping students deal with examination-related stress.
Gogoi suggested that political considerations could be behind the controversy, saying that there were people in the BJP government who had become "afraid of a book being read by the people of India."
Who will publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir in India?
With Penguin Random House India clarifying that it is not publishing the memoir in India, reports suggest that other publishers are interested in acquiring the rights.
According to Hindustan Times, HarperCollins is reportedly close to finalising an agreement to publish and distribute the book in India.
The memoir is scheduled for international release on November 10 through Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Knopf has previously announced an initial print run of one lakh copies.
What is Belonging: A Journey of Love about?
Sonia Gandhi's memoir is expected to trace her life journey, from her childhood in post-war Italy to her move to India and her marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The book is expected to offer a personal account of her experiences and her journey into one of India's most prominent political families.
