Congress on Friday questioned Penguin Random House India’s position on the publication of Sonia Gandhi’s much-anticipated memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, asking why the publisher’s global arm is releasing the book while its Indian division was reportedly reluctant to publish it.
The controversy comes after a report claimed Penguin Random House India (PRHI) had decided against publishing the memoir following disagreements over editorial changes and deletions sought in parts of the manuscript.
Congress criticised the reported position, pointing to the fact that the memoir is scheduled for an international release through Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
“If Penguin Books worldwide can publish, then Penguin’s claim of ‘factchecking’ is ridiculous,” a Congress spokesperson said, questioning the publisher’s explanation.
Penguin India rejects report
Penguin Random House India has denied that it decided to drop the memoir because Sonia Gandhi refused editorial changes.
A company spokesperson said PRHI is not the publisher of Belonging in India and that suggestions that it chose not to publish the book because the author rejected editorial changes did not accurately reflect the circumstances.
The publisher also defended its editorial process, saying fact-checking and offering recommendations in the best interests of a book are part of a publisher’s responsibilities.
The company maintained that it remained “willing and keen” to publish the memoir during the relevant discussions, while declining to comment further on confidential conversations with the author.
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir to release in November
Belonging: A Journey of Love is scheduled to be released internationally on November 10. Knopf has previously announced an initial print run of 100,000 copies.
The memoir is expected to offer a personal account of Sonia Gandhi’s life, beginning with her childhood in post-war Italy and her subsequent move to India and marriage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The book is also expected to discuss major events and tragedies that shaped her life, including the deaths of Sanjay Gandhi, former prime minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Sonia Gandhi is also expected to write about her entry into public life and her experiences at the centre of one of India’s most prominent political families.
In the publisher’s announcement, Sonia Gandhi said that much had been written about her family but that few accounts had explored the motivations, actions and human failings behind their public lives.
She described the memoir as offering readers her perspective on the social and political changes she witnessed over six decades.
The dispute over its Indian publication has now added another layer of interest to a memoir that is already drawing considerable attention ahead of its international release.
